A bicycle rode away on the approach to Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji Temple

Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji Temple, a temple of Nichiren Shu, has many buildings that have been designated as important cultural properties. Within the precincts of the temple are buildings designated as important cultural properties, such as the Soshido Hall, which enshrines Nichiren, the five-story pagoda, the Hokke-do Hall, and the Shisoku-mon Gate, which are overwhelming in their beauty and splendor. Although not open to the general public, Hokkekyo-ji Temple also houses national treasures. The relics of Nichiren Shonin are stored in a sturdy building called Shogyoden Hall, which also contains national treasures. In other words, Hokkekyo-ji Temple is home to many valuable relics designated as national treasures and important cultural properties.

Personally, I am intrigued by the fact that important relics remain in Ichikawa, far from Kamakura, which was the political center of the time. Although Nichiren himself was active in Kamakura, there are few relics in Kamakura that have any connection with him. For example, although there is Myohon-ji Temple, a temple associated with Nichiren, its presence is inferior to that of the relics left at Hokkekyo-ji Temple. Perhaps this is due to the fact that Nichiren criticized other sects and was suppressed by those in power. In particular, in his 'Rissho Ankoku Ron,' he warned of disasters and invasions unless the shogunate recognized the Lotus Sutra as the only correct form of Buddhist law, and it is not difficult to imagine that he was a nuisance to the shogunate. For this reason, few associations with him may have remained in Kamakura, the Shogunate's seat of power.

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