June 13, 2006
Statue at Ikegami Honmonji from 1288
Updated 06-06-2006
"Nichiro also started a practice hall at the home of Munenaka Ikegami after Nichiren died there in 1282. In 1288, this became the Honmonji Temple. The adminstrative headquarters of the Nichiren Shu are now located there. For this reason, the lineage of Nichiro is also called the Ikegami Lineage." -- Nichiro Shonin by Ryuei Michael McCormick
Statues, Drawings, & Paintings of Nichiren
The statue of Nichiren at Ikegami Honmonji is maybe the best documented of those dated to the late 13th or early 14th Century {Kamakura Era}. Several sources link this one to the legend of Izumi-Ko Nippo (1259{?}-1341{?}) carving three statues from a single camphor log, while Nichiren was still alive. However, the Ikegami Statue is clearly 'posthumous', and was carved from 1288 to 1289.
On Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin
Ikegami Honmonji also houses Mandala # 102 ... Mandala inscribed by Nichiren, formal style.
The Statue
According to Reverend Tarabini:
"During the 7th anniversary of Nichiren Daishonin's passing, Nichiji Shonin, Nichijo Shonin, Nichigyo Shonin and Nichimyo Shonin met to discuss requesting the famous Kamakura Buddhist sculptor Nippo Shonin to carve an image of their master. They decided on entrusting the sculptor with the project. After its completion, it was enshrined in the temple of Ikegami Honmonji. Inside the statue a copper container was inserted containing some of Nichiren Daishonin's ossuary relics. A tassle of Nichiren Daishonin's mother's hair (presented to the Master by his mother) was attached to hossu that that the statue holds in its right hand. ... Nichiji Shonin's signature can be seen on the base of the statue." -- Nichiji Shonin, the first missionary
From Timeline of Nichiren Daishonin's life: " June 8, 1288: In commemoration of the 7th anniv. of his passing, Nichiji Shonin and Nichijo Shonin have statue of Nichiren Daishonin carved by Nippo Shonin and erected at Ikegami."
From NICHIREN AND HONMONJI TEMPLE: "Going up the front steps and walking through the Nio-mon (a gate with two guardian gods), the visitor comes to the Soshido hall where the statue of Nichiren is enshrined. This statue, the only embodiment of Nichiren in the temple, was made by his disciples on the seventh anniversary of his death. It is designated an important cultural property of Japan."
The Town
"For most city residents, at least, the little town of Ikegami probably represents the furthest southern limit of what they call "Edo" [Tokyo]. 
Ikegami is much like any other small farming town in the area, with a few large shops and other buildings lining the main road, clusters of wooden farmhouses with thatched roofs, and extensive fields of rice and vegetables stretching down to the banks of the Tama river... On top of the steep, flat-topped hill which looms over the town sits a vast temple complex known as Ikegami Honmonji. This is the main temple of one of Edo's strongest Buddhist orders, the so-called Hokke, or "Lotus" sect. The main temple and the multitude of smaller temples, shrines and monestaries dominate the entire town." -- Ikegami Honmonji
Zuiun's Image
From Buddhist Images World, Cypresswood Saint Nichiren (Buddhist image): "This Nichiren image is modeled after the Nichiren statue in Honmonji temple which is the national treasure."
Posted by rbeck at February 2, 2006 02:27 PM
Posted by rbeck at June 13, 2006 12:00 AM