Shochuzan Onjuin Temple in Nakayama Shimousa

法華経寺界隈の散歩道the vicinity of Hokekyoji

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Onjuin Temple Successing Traditional Ascetic Practices

Soon after passing through the Niomon Gate of Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple, there are a stone pillar with red letters and a large gatepost, and turning to left, there is a simple wooden gate strongly standing the end of the gateway to Onjuin Temple. Onjuin Temple has carried on the tradition and the history of Nichiren Sect in Nakayama region.
Onjuin Temple is famous for the temple to deliver the Nichiren Sect's traditional style of ascetic practices for monks for 400 years. According to the information of Onjuin Temple, the priests in Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple decided to select a faithful priest having strong lofty aspiration and hard working to study whom would have been handed down the ideas of the founder Nichiren, the verenable Nissho was the first priest selected in November 20th of 1591. And Nissho built a new temple 'Enritsubo' to practice religious austerity (aragyo), this was the begining of Onjuin Temple.
In 1597, the 12th abbot of Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple, the verenable Nikko decided that the chair of the abbot would be taken in rotation system with 3 temples, Myokokuji Temple in Sakai Osaka, Chomyoji Temple and Honpoji Temple in Kyoto. A term with 3 years could be so short for an abbot to complete all duties for him, then Nikko decided that the abbot of Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple is the Denshi (a teacher or a missionary deliver the Nichiren Sect's traditional style) and the vice Denshi assigned to be intent delivering.
The verenable Onjuin Nichikyu (1662-1727) was selected the first vice Denshi and the third chief priest of Enritsubo Temple. He inherited the shochuzan's orthodox method of exorcisms succeeded directly from the Founder Nichiren from Nissho. Nichikyu completed one thousand days of austerities, established rules for one hundred days of harsh austerities (aragyo), and compiled "The sacred book on the transmission of prayers" (Kito-soden-sho). He has been looked up to the restorer of the exorcisms. His successor, the venerable Nichigyo of the forth chief priest named Enritsubo after Onjuin as he respected Nichikyu's profound scholarship and contribution.
The chief priests or Denshi of Onjuin Temple has delivered the all ritual forms completed by Nichikyu for 400 years.
Moreover, the one hundred days of aragyo from November 1st to Febraury 10th has held.
Tokugawa Shogun Family, Maeda Family the second larghest daimyo in Edo period, Ota Family descendants of Dokan Ota and many people has believed in Onjuin Temple faithfully for long ages. Passing through the gate, there is a big old plam tree presented by the Maeda Family in front of Omotedo building, and there are big basins presented by the Tokugawa Shogun Family between the Omotedo and the main hall of Onjuin Temple. They must give you some traditional and histrical inspiration to visitors.
Why don't you visit Onjuin Temple?

参考並びに引用
遠寿院　門前案内板「荒行堂遠寿院略縁起」
遠寿院　境内案内板「祈祷中興遠壽院日久上人」
遠寿院　境内案内板「古木梅由来」
遠寿院　境内案内板「荒行堂旧水盤由来」
遠寿院ホームページ

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The Former Basins Presented by The Tokugawa Family

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The Old Plam Tree Presented by The Maeda Family

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Flowers in Onjuin Temple

Visitors could enjoy seeing flowers in every season.

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The Location and Access to Onjuin Temple

Shochuzan Onjuin Temple

The map in Nakayama Hokekyoji

Please click below for printing!
PDF of the Map in Nakayama Hokekyoji

The map near Hokekyoji and Kaii Higashiyama Memorial Hall

PDF of the map near Hokekyoji and Kaii Higashiyama

The map to the landmarks where Kafu Nagai introduced in his book

PDF of the map of the noted spots where Kafu Nagai visited

Onjuin Temple has a great accessibility 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 1 minute walk from Keisei-Nakayama Sta, and take 5 minutes walk from Shimousa-Nakayama Sta.
2-3-2 Nakayama, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba-ken

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The Landmarks Neighbor Of Onjuin Temple

Tacchue Temples and the Branch Temples in Nakayama Hokekyoji

Some of the tacchu temples are introduced in this page.

Higashiyama Kaii Memorial Hall

This small gallary has wonderful works of the great painter Kaii Higashiyama lived in Nakayama.

Nakayama Oku-no-in

Nichiren had preached first time at the Oku-no-in. Later, Jonin Toki built a temple named 'Hokke-ji'. There are several ume trees blooming beautiful ume blossoms in spring silently.

Onju-in Temple

Onjuin Temple is famous for the temple to deliver the Nichiren Sect's traditional style of ascetic practices. Tokugawa, Maeda and many people faithfully has believed for ages.