The Setsu-do Hall In Nakayama Hokekyo-ji
The Setsu-do In Nakayama Hokekyo-ji
There is a small wooden hall like a hut standing on the small hill behind
the Soshi-do is Setsudo hall of Nakayama Hokkekyoji Temple. Its sharp angled roof is
so fascinated looked like a temple in the mountain side. The Setsudo is
also called Kishimojindo Hall. The framed letters 'Kishimojin' on the front
door was written by an Imperial Princess in Hokyoji Temple in Kyoto.
The Satsudo Hall was first built in
Kamakura by Jingoro Hidari, one of the greatest craftman built Nikko Toshogu Shrine,
and was moved to Nakayama in the regime of the third Shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa
in early
Edo period. And there is a very interesting legend, that says that the areas around
Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple had never had droughts since it had a picture
of a dragon in it.
Moreover, it dedicates
Jurasetunyo,
Kishimojin and
Daikokuten to eliminate sins from people, so the day for visiting, the worshippers beat the drum for the day long. The day of Kinoe-ne-no-hi, the special practice faith healing is held there.
Visitors could see a wooden Edo Style building. Why don't you visit it?
Jurasetsunyo
Jurasetsunyo means 'ten female devils', so they are the strong guards
to protect the Lotus Sutra. They are Runba, Biranba, Kokushi, Keshi, Kokushi,
Tahatsu, Muenzoku, Jiyoraku, Kotai and Dassaishujoshoge. They had drunk
the human souls and spirits first, after they met Buddha with Kishibojini
and listened his words, they became the goddess to guard the ascetic of
Lotus Sutra. The model on the statue look generally Tennyo (celestial nymphs),never
have drawn on the state of exasperation. They wears Chinese clothes or
Japanese, and the accessories they have are disordered. They are appeared
on the covers of Lotus Sutra like 'Heike-nokyo' and 'Senmen-hokekyo-sasshi'.
And they are also drawn with 'Hugen-bosatsu (Samantabhadra)' in general.
Kishibojin (Hariti; the goddess of childbirth and children)
Kishibojin is a guardian goddess of Buddhism, and the goddess of childbirth
and children. In general, the statue of Kishibojin is carved like a Tennyo
(a celestial nymph) with a baby in her arm and a pomegranate in her hand.
Kishibojin is a female devil called Hariti in Sanskrit. She was also called
Kariteimo and Kankimo (a joyful mother).
According to a legend in Buddhism, Kishibojin was originally a daughter
of Yasha (yaksa) and a female devil. She appeared at Rajagriba and ate
over thousands of children in the period Buddha lived in the world. Buddha
then hid a child whom she loved best, so he tried to lead her down the
path of righteousness. She cried and cried, and searched her child throughout
the world. But she couldn’t. She finally asked Buddha to help her. Buddha
told her what she did wrong things. She got Gokai (the five commandments
of Buddhism) and embraced the Buddhist faith. Kishbojin at last became
the guardian goddess of childbirth and children
Kishibojin has been worshipped as the goddess of childbirth and children in Japan, sometimes she is worshipped to avoid thefts. However, she had been the goddess of producing at India before Buddhism adopted her in its ideas.
The style of her statue has two forms, one looks a Tennyo (a celestial
nymph) and another one looks a female devil. the picture of Kariteimozou
(Kishibojin) in Daigo-ji Temple in Kyoto has gentle and plump expression,
it is a important historical asset shows the new trends that was influenced
by Soga (Chinese painting). The great works of its statues are kept at
Onjo-ji Temple in Shiga Prefecture and Todai-ji Temple in Nara.
The statue of Kisibojin dedicated at Hokekyo-ji Temple was carved by
the founder Niciren. When he had been in trouble and been hurt on his brows in November 11th
of 1264, Kishibojin appeared in front of him and helped him. He carved
it to express his appreciation to
Kishibojin while he was recuperating at Nakayama..
Daikokuten (Mahakala)
Daikokuten is called Mahakala in Sanskrit.
Fundamentally, Daikokuten was the god of destroy. In esoteric Buddhism, he belongs to the north of the most outer court of Garbha-mandala, and he is a relative or a manifestation of Jizaiten (Mahesvara in Sanskrit) who has three black faces with angry appearances and six arms and the god of battle, protects Sanpo (three treasures) such as Butsu (Buddha), Ho (Sutras) and So (priests).Later Jizaiten changes to the god of eating and drinking, so Jizaiten is dedicated in kitchen.
First Saicho brought Daikokuten to Japan, and he dedicated at Mt.Hiei.
Daikokuten is a member of Shichifukujin (Seven gods of good fortune). He is described that he takes on a sack of rice with a headscarf on his head, mallet of good luck in his right hand, a big sack on his left shoulder. Daikoku is confused with Okuni who is the popular gods is dedicated at Izumo-Taisha Shrine. Since the middle ages, Daikokuten has been put the same god as Okuninushi, the faith to him is spread throughout Japan. Daikokuten is worshipped with Ebisu as the god of good fortune.
The statues of armed angry Daikokuten made in Fujiwara Period remains, the statue of Myoju-in at Shiga in the half-lotus position is one of those. But the general forms of them were dressed religious dresses with sacks on their backs. The statue at Kannon-ji Temple in Fukuoka Prefecture is a good example. After Kamakura Period, Daikokuten was always described as a member of the seven gods of good fortune like the statue at Seishuraigou-ji Temple in Shiga Prefecture. This style became the big trend and made a lot by Edo Period
出典・抜粋・引用および参考
正中山法華経寺誌
日蓮宗各本山名所図会
房総叢書 : 紀元二千六百年記念. 第8卷葛飾紀
房総叢書 : 紀元二千六百年記念. 第6卷 葛飾誌略
江戸名所図会 ちくま学芸文庫
ブリタニカ国際大百科
明鏡国語辞典
デジタル大辞林
法華経寺ホームページ
The Access to The Setsu-do Hall In Nakayama Hokekyoji
The Setsu-do Hall In Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple
- The Setsu-do Hall in Nakayama Hokekyouji Temple has great accessibilities
from both Narita and Haneda International Airport.
- From Narita International Airport, take Keisei-line and get off Keisei-Nakayama Sta, take minimally 40 minutes from Narita Airport.. And also take JR Sobu-express line, transfer the line at Funabashi to Sobu-Local line, get off Shimousa-Nakayama Sta.
- From Haneda International Airport, take Keikyu-line bound to Narita, and get off Keisei-Nakayama Sta.
- From Tokyo Sta, take Sobu-Express line bound to Chiba or Narita, transfer the line to Sobu-Local line bound to Chiba, Tsudanuma, or Nishi-Funabashi at Ichikawa Sta, get off Shimousa-Nakayama Sta.
- From Akihabara Sta, take Sobu line bound to Chiba, get off Shimousa-Nakayama Sta.
- Take 5 minute walk from Keisei-Nakayama Sta, and take 8 minutes walk from Shimousa-Nakayama Sta.
- 2-10-1 Nakayama, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba-pref, Japan
The Landmarks in Nakayama Hokekyouji Temple
Takikyakuden is the main hall of Hokekyoji and it has the business office and Kishibojindo Hall dedicated to the goddess of children on the end of the long corrido of the main hall.
In spring, there is millions of cherry blossoms in Hokekyoji and in summer, lotus blooms on ryuo-ike pond. In fall, there are beautiful colored leaves. Every season, visitors could enjoy seeing the sights.
It is characterized the twin hip-and-gable roof structure (hiyoku-irimoya-style), and hengaku written by Koetsu Honami hangs in front.
It was built in early Edo period (1622) by request of Koshitsu Honami supported by Maeda Family in Kaga.
It was built in Kamakura period.
It was moved from Aizen-dou in Kamakura 700 years ago.
It was designed by the famous architect Chuta Ito, it stores many scripts
written by the Founder Nichiren.
It enshrines Kiyomasa Kato, one of the most famous daimyo in Sengoku period.
From Nov 1 to Feb 10, hundreds of Buddhist priests practice severly every year.
The henguku hunged in front of the gate was written by Koetsu Honami, famous artist in Momoyama Period.
It was built for worshipping Jurasetsunyo, Kishibozin, Daikokusama.
It is also called Sou-mon (the main gate).
The founder Nichiren built the small shrine to dedicate the dragon god to pray for rain.
It enshrins Ugazin who is the guardian deity of Hokekyou-ji Temple.
It dedicates Hokushin Myouken Star that the Chiba Family deeply believed in, Hokekyoji traditionally succeeds. In November, Tori-no-ich is held in the site to dedicate the star.
The founder Nichiren preached first time at the Toki's castle called Wkakamiya Yakata. And Toki built a temple 'Hokkeji', it is the origin of Oku no In.
It was built in 1719 by famous caster Ota Suruga-no-kami in Kanda. It is the bigest great Buddha in Chiba prefecture.
Nichijo was the first abbot of Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple and Naki Icho is a gingko tree having a sad legend.
There are some other landmarks in Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple.
Koetsu Honami specially remained his calligraphy in Hokekyo-ji Temple,
and Shiki Masaoka, Kyoshi Takahama, Kafu Nagai discribed it well.
Some tacchue temples are introduced in this page.
There are some noted spots, Kaii Higashiyama Memorial Hall and so on, near Hokekyoji.
Cherry blossoms in Hokekyoji are amazingly wonderful.