|
Address: 1413 Hiroba, Kamogawa,
Chiba
Direction: JR Sotobo-line, Awa-Kamogawa Station,
20 minutes walking or 5 minutes by taxi.
This is the site of the Komatsubara Persecution, which
is one of the four major persecutions which Nichiren
underwent. It was the most severe of the persecutions
because two of his companions were killed and others
in the party that day were injured. The present day
temple property is so peaceful, making it seem to not
be a place where such a persecution could have occured.
|
|
Click small photo to enlarge.
|
|
The Temple's beginning
On November 11, 1264 while Nichiren Shonin was staying in
the Boso area of Chiba, one of his followers, Yoshitaka Kudo
who was a lord of Amatsu, invited him to visit. When Nichiren
and ten of his followers left Rengeji temple of Hanabusa and
were walking on a street of Komatsudara. It was at this location
that they were attacked by Kagenobu Tojo and his men. Kagenobu
was a strong Nembutsu believer who disliked Nichiren's criticism
of his faith. Nichiren Shonin tried to protect himself from
Kagenobu's sword with his prayer beads, but suffered a wound,
which was about three inches in size. Nichiren Shonin's disciples,
Kyoninbo and the Lord Yoshitaka Kudo, who had come when he
heard of the attack, were killed and two others were seriously
injured.
Later one of Yoshitaka Kudo's sons, Nichiryu,
became Nichiren Shonin's disciple. In order to assure prayers
for the late Kyoninbo and Yoshitaka Kudo, Nichiryu founded
Kyoninji Temple on March 5, 1281.
The Temple today
A 800 year old cedar tree stands in the temple's yard. The
temple has a Soshi-do (founder's hall) which was built in
the middle of Edo period, a Hondo (grand hall), a temple office,
and a gate. The temple also cares for such sacred treasures
as Nichiren Shonin's writing, "Tokidono Gosho",
the prayer beads which protected Nichiren from the blow of
the sword, the blooded robe of Kyoninbo, and pictorial history
books of Nichiren Shonin.
The temple commemorates annual events
such as Kaishu-e (Dedication day) on April 28, Komatsubara
Persecution Day on November 11, and Oeshiki (Nichiren Shonin's
memorial day) on October 13.
Minobu-San
Kuonji Temple | Kominato-Zan
Tanjoji Temple | Senko-Zan
Seichoji Temple
Ganbon-Zan
Jissoji Temple | Shochu-Zan
Hokekyoji Temple | Kaiko-Zan
Butsugenji Temple
Komatsubara-Zan
Kyoninji Temple | Jakko-Zan
Ryukoji Temple
|
