About Us >> Major Temples >>

Kominato-Zan Tanjoji Temple

Major Temples

Tanjo-ji Temple is the place where Nichiren Shonin was born.
This is a solemn, sacred place located in Kominato, in Southern Chiba, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Nichiren Shonin was born in 1222. His father was Nukina Jiro Shigetada, and his mother's name was UmegikuIn celebration of Shonin's birth, lotus flowers bloomed on the seashore, red snapper gathered, and spring water gushed out into the yard of the house.

Click small photo to enlarge.

These places are now preserved as Renge-ga-fuchi,
Tae-no-ura, and Tanjo-ido. Shonin's mother dreamedthat the sun entered her bodywhen she became pregnant, so they named their son Zen-nichi-maro, meaning "Boy with the Good Sun".

After Nichiren Shonin proclaimed his new path of Buddhism, he continued his mission in Kamakura.But in January of 1264 he learned that his mother was ill and returned to his hometown. He inscribed a mandala and prayed for his mother's recovery. Because of his great merits, his mother's life was extended for another four years.

In October of 1276, Nichike, one of Nichiren Shonin's second senior disciples, built a temple on the grounds where Shonin's parents' home stood. The patron of this temple was named Sakuma-Hyogo-no-kami Shigetada.

The temple was originallyat the place where Tae-no-ura iscurrently located. But in August of 1498 the temple was destroyed by a tsunami. The temple was rebuilt, but the second temple was also destroyed by a tsunami,in November of 1703. During the Hoei Period (1704-1710), Nichiko restored the temple at its present location.

At that time, a local lord donated the property,

Temple Structures

1. Hondo (Main Hall)
2. Honshi-den Hoto (Treasure Stupa)
3. Treasury
4. Ota-do (Hall of Ota)
5. Tanjo-do (Hall of Nichiren's Birth)
6. Kyaku-den (Social Hall)
7. So-mon (Great Gate)
8. Tanjo-sui no ido (Mill of Birth Water)

Temple Treasures

1. Seven mandalas inscribed by Nichiren Shonin
2. Mandalas inscribed by former resident minister
3. Belongings of Lord Mitsukuni Mito
4. Belongings of Lord Kiyomasa Kato
5. Drawings by Taosali Soma on the ceiling of Soshido

Temple's Annual Events

January 1        New Years Prayer
February 16     Celebration of Nichiren Shonin's birthday
April 15           Senbu-e (Reading of the Lotus Sutra a thousand times)
August 10       Segaki
November. 12  Oeshiki (Nichiren Shonin's memorial service)

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