September 05, 2007
Atsuhara Persecutions of 1275-1281
Life and legends of Nichiren
Retirement to Minobu
Nikko Shonin Mandara
The Atsuhara Persecutions were a series of events that transpired in the Atsuhara region of Suruga Province from circa 1275 - 1281. In 1275 Nikko, with the help of Niko, Nichiji, and others; had converted three leading Priests of Ryusenji Temple to the "Hokke Shu." Note that Nichiren's 'Hokke Shu' was not an actual school {shu} at that time. It was not even an official faction {ha, meaning faction or sub-school}. They were all Tendai Shu. Ryusenji was apparently a Tendai Jimon-Ha Temple located at the village of Atsuhara in the Fuji Disrrict of the Suruga Province. Nichiren wrote several Gosho concerning Atsuhara & Ryusunji; dated October 1st 1279. These include:
*On Persecutions Befalling the Sage
*Reply to Hoki and the Others: HKB.pdf
*The Ryusenji Petition: 312RyusenjiP.pdf
No Gosho that I know of mentions either the inscription of a special Honzon inscribed on October 12 1279, nor the trial and execution of three peasant farmers on October 15 1279. These stories, unique to the Taisekiji branch of the Fuji sub-school appear to be rooted partly in actual events; and partly in legends common to most Nichiren Schools. However, any direct connection between the Atsuhara Persecutions and the legendary carving of statues or inscription of Mandalas on October 12 1279, is speculative. This source {Link} indicates that Shiro {四郎}, Yogoro, {弥 五郎} , and Yajiro {弥次郎} were beheaded {其首を刎ねられ畢ん} on 弘安三年四月八日.
* 弘安 【こうあん】 (n) Koan era (1278.2.29-1288.4.28)
* 三年 【さんねん】 (n) three years;
* 四月 【しがつ】 (n-adv) April;
* 八日 【ようか】 (n) eight days; the eighth (day of the month)
That would be April 8 1280? Since the peasant named Jinshiro was most likely executed in April of 1280, there is no apparent case that Nichiren inscribed the so-called Taisekiji Dai- Gohonzon for him. Moreover, Nikko Shonin inscribed a separate Mandala in 1308, dedicated to the memory of the peasent Jinshiro. That Mandala is preserved at Kiyayama Honmonji.
However, a decent case could be made that 'Yashiro Kunishige Honmon -no- Kaidan -no- Ganshu Hokke Shu,' the person named on the Taisekiji Dai-Go- Honzon, and the martyr Yashiro of the 'Ryusenji Petition,' are the same person. The Ryusenji Petition indicates that Yashiro was executed in August of 1279.
See Also:
The Taisekiji DaiGohonzon Myth
The Jinshiro Memorial Daimandara of 1308
At any rate, the three monks of Ryusenji Temple who 'converted' were:
Shimotsuke-bo Nisshu: {?????-1329} {Received Gohonzon #105} Later, he would found Rikyo-bo lodging temple at Taisekiji.
Echigo Nichiben: (1239-1311). He would later join with Nichiji, Toki Jonin, Nippo and others; in refusing to take sides with Nikko against Niko. He would also spread Hokke Shu teachings in Kazusa & Mutsu Provinces. In addition, it is said he founded Seiryu-zushi Honmonji {now Kyoto Yuseiji} near Mobara in 1308. He appears to have been entrusted with Nichiji's Mandala Gohonzon and a Statue carved by Nippo; which are now kept at Kyoto Yuseiji.
Sho-bo Nichizen: {????-1331} He would later serve Nichiren at Minobu and later became one of Nikko's six elder disciples. The Mandala Gohonzon he is said to have received in 1280 is a story in itself, one we might discuss later.
See: The Nichizen Mannen Kugo Great Mandala of 1280 at Kitayama
Despite opposition from Gyochi, the deputy chief priest of Ryusen-ji, the trio of monks converted quite a few court officials, samurai, and peasants in the Atsuhara area. In response, Gyochi eventually expelled the three monks from Ryusenji. Nichizen then returned to his home in Kai Province. But Shimotsuke-bo Nisshu and Sho-bo Nichizen remained at the Temple, possibly with the help of Yashiro.
The Hojo Regency's Police Chief, Taira no Yoritsuna, {Hei-no-Saemon} became involved. He was the same official who had tried to kill Nichiren at Tatsu-no-kuchi in 1271. 
According to the 'Ryusenji Petition'; Hei-no-Saemon, or his men, attacked and 'stabbed' [with an arrow or knife}] a peasant follower of Nichiren named 'Shiro' [Jinshiro?], in April 1279, at an archery contest. Some say Jinshiro was only wounded at the archery contest. Others say he was killed.
Meanwhile, Shimotsuke-bo Nisshu and Echigo Nichiben were charged with heresy. According to one version, the above mentioned Yashiro, possibly a court noble, apparently hid them at his residence. Yashiro was subsequently brought up on charges and summarily executed. The Ryusen-ji Moshijo puts this in August 1279. The two monks had been smuggled to Guho-ji Temple, at Mama in Shimousa Province, and placed under Toki Jonin's protection. Nitcho Shonin, Toki's step-son, was the Abbot of Mama Guboji.
Nichiren then submitted the Ryusen-ji Moshijo {Ryusenji Petition}; via Nikko, Nisshu, Nichiben, and the others, on October 1 1279. On the same date, he authored the "Shonin Gonanji" {Persecutions Befalling a Sage}.
Posted by rbeck at January 26, 2006 06:54 PM
Posted by rbeck at September 5, 2007 06:54 PM