September 28, 2006
Nichiren in Kazusa; Niko & Mobara
Nichiren and Mobara Sogenji Temple
Life and legends of Nichiren
At Boso Hanto 1264-1267
Kazusa was an old province of Boso Peninsula; located in the central part of Chiba prefecture. 
It bordered on Awa to the south and Shimosa to the north. Modern Mobara City is located in the east-central part of Chiba Prefecture, near the Pacific Ocean. Link to Mobara City Official Site
While travelling and propagating the Lotus Sutra in Kazusa Province, in 1264 or 1265, Nichiren visited the town of Mobara. There he met a Samurai who became a lay follower. This samurai had a talented 12 year old son, who was a Tendai Shu acolyte at Hieizan Enryakuji. After meeting Nichiren, the father brought his son home to become the Great Sage's disciple.
Nichiren would later give the young man the name Niko {one k]. Niko Shonin (1253-1314) would also become known as Minbu and Sado-bo. From what I gather, Niko and his father began spreading Nichiren's Hokke teachings in Kazusa Province. This was the beginning of what is now Sogenji {Sougenji} Temple at Mobara.
Apparently, Sado-bo/Minbu Niko initially established Mobara Sogenji as Myokenji Temple, soon after Nichiren's passing in 1282. 
In October of 1282, Nichiren had named him as one of the Six Major Clerical Successors {Roku-ruso}.
Niko would later go to Mount Minobu, where he served as Chief Instructor {gakuto} of Kuon-ji, under Nikko {two k's} from circa 1285-1288. After Nikko {1246-1333}left Minobu in 1288, Niko {one k} became the official Abbot of Kuon-ji. He served in that capacity until retiring in 1313, and was succeeded by Nisshin.
See also Ryuei: Niko Shonin
Meanwhile, Niko also served as Abbot of Mobara Myokenji. After Niko's death, his disciple Nisshu succeeded him there. In November of 1591 {Tensho 19}, Ieyasu Tokugawa had the name of the Temple changed to Sogenji.
Jakusen-bo Nitcho
Jakusen-bo Nitcho (1262-1310) was a son or step-son of Toki Tsunenobu/Jonin {1216-1299}. At some point, Jakusen-bo became a disciple of Niko Shonin (1253-1314) at Mobara. Then, sometime, between 1292 and 1300, he went to Omosu in Suruga Province, where he became Nikko's {two k's} disciple. In 1300, Jakusen-bo Nitcho was named the first Chief Instructor {gakuto} at Omosu Dansho {Seminary}. He was also said to be a designated major disciple of Nikko Shonin {1246-1333} at Omosu/Kitayama Honmonji.
Jakusen-bo had an elder brother or half brother, Iyo-bo Nitcho (1252-1317), who served as Abbot of Mama Guhoji from circa 1277 until 1284{?}-1292{?}. Iyo-bo Nitcho was named one of Nichiren's Six Major Clerical Successors {Roku-ruso}, in October of 1282. Even scholars get Jakusen-bo Nitcho (1262-1310) and Iyo-bo Nitcho (1252-1317) confused.
Posted by rbeck at September 28, 2006 10:58 AM