Kosoku Ji
Gyojizan Kosokuji
Founded in 1274 by Mitsunori Yadoya
The Founding priest of this Temple was Nichiro. In the mid-13th century, on the Temple's site there used to stand a private residence for Mitsunori Yadoya (birth and death years unknown), the founder of the Temple and one of the seven immediate retainers for Fifth Regent Tokiyori Hojo(1227-1263). In 1260, Nichiren Shonin, founder of Nichiren Order and author of the famous treatise, Rissho Ankoku Ron, looked for someone suitable to deliver the treatise to the Regent. He thought Mitsunori Yadoya would be most suitable and asked him for help. Mitsunori accepted the request and forwarded the treatise to the Regent for his review. In the treatise, Nichiren Shonin asserted that the correct and authentic Buddhist doctrine was to be found only in Hokkekyo, or the Lotus Sutra. He argued against the doctrine of other orders, including Zen, in which Tokiyori himself had faith. In fact, Tokiyori had erected the Zen temple Kenchoji seven years earlier. As expected, Tokiyori not only rejected his treatise but was also was deeply offended. Undaunted, Nichiren Shonin continued his campaign and experienced a series of persecutions. In 1271, he was put on trial and was finally sentenced to death. At Tatsunokuchi near Ryukoji, he was nearly executed. At the last moment, however, he was saved by a miracle, and was exiled to an island called Sado off the coast of Niigata Prefecture. At the same time, Nichiren Shonin's five disciples were collectively arrested on charges of aiding and abetting, and detained in a cavern at Mitsunori's residence. Included among them was Priest Nichiro (1243-1320), one of the six senior disciples and the founding priest of Myohonji. He had joined the Nichiren order at age 10, and was so attentive to Nichiren Shonin that it was said, "Wherever the Priest may go, there is always Nichiro with him." Though Mitsunori was supposed act like a jailer and keep watch on the five disciples in confinement, he cordially treated them as if they were his quests. Mitsunori was deeply moved by Priest Nichiro's manner and his loyalty toward Nichiren Shonin. At the end of the one-month confinement, Mitsunori who had naturally been a Zen Buddhist as a retainer of Tokiyori, began to embrace Priest Nichiro's teachings. As Tokiyori had already been dead for several years, Mitsunori converted to the Nichiren order , and successfully lobbied for an earlier release of Nichiren Shonin in exile. He even remodeled his residence to a temple and presented it to the Nichiren order, and asked Priest Nichiro to be the first chief priest. Thus, the present-day Temple was established. Mitsunori can be pronounced "Kosoku" in Chinese ideographs, hence the name of Kosokuji. The first part of the official name "Gyoji" came from his father's name "Yukitoki", which also can read Gyoji in Chinese characters. The cavern in which Priest Nichiro and others were detained back, exists today at the northern corner behind the graveyard. The Temple is rather small and structures consist of Sanmon gate, the main hall and priests’ living quarter only. In contrast to Kotoku-in (the Great Buddha) and Hasedera in the vicinity, visitors are usually scarce here except for the flower seasons.
Standing in front of Kosoku Ji under the protection of the Sanmon Gate.
The path leading to the cave used to imprison Nichiro and several other Nichiren followers.
Rev. Faulconer in front of the cave.
Back down to the Hondo. The wind had really started to stir up and you can see the effects with Neil's umbrellas broken ribs.
The Hondo viewed from the front entrance of the reception hall.
A side altar statue arrangement in the main hall depicting the great Omandala. Below is the main altar of Kosoku Ji.
