October 01, 2006
Treasures of Guhoji
Mama Guhoji, Iyo-bo Nitcho, and Toki Jonin
Nichiren and Nakayama Hokkekyo-ji
Life and legends of Nichiren
At Boso Hanto 1264-1267
The Hondo and Gohonzon
IIRC, the Gohonzon in the Main Hall is a style known as "One Buddha and Four Attendents" {Isson Shishi}. The central Buddha statue is concecrated as either the "recompense body" {sambhoga-kaya or hojin} of the Eternal Shakyamuni described in the Lotus Sutra; or as "Shakyamuni Buddha, the lord of teachings, eternally endowed with the three bodies."
This is a form of the object of worship in terms of the Person {Nin-Honzon}; whereas the Mandala Gohonzon is an example of the object of worship in terms of the Dharma (Ho-no-honzon), since it centers on the Daimoku; which is the Dharma-Kaya of the Eternal Shakyamuni.
As you can see in the detail, the Shakuson at Guhoji is seated and has his hands in an interesting mudra. It appears to be either a double Surya or double Varuna Mudra.
Statue of Kan'non
The statue of Kan'non {Kanzeon} overlooking the cemetery at Guhoji is interesting.
It meets the exact description of 'He Jang/Joined Palms Ganyin,' which is #29 of the 33 popular, non-esoteric transformations of Guanyin in Chinese Art; forms loosely based on the Lotus Sutra. 
This form, #29, is dressed like a Brahmin and stands 'in namaste' on a lotus pedastal. However, Avalokitesvara Iconography is quite convoluted; so this one might be known by a different name.
Daikokuten with a Sword
Though of Indic origins, Daikokuten is one of Japan's Shichifukujin {Seven Kami of Good Fortune}. He usually carries a wooden hammer, which pounds up money, and has a sack of treasure slung over his shoulder. 
This depiction with a sword is connected to a legend of Nichiren either at, or on the way to, Minobu.
Origins of Daikokuten
" Daikokuten's identity is said to have originated in the Indian deity Mahakala, ... described as an incarnation of Shiva {Daijizaiten} known for destruction, or else ... as a god of war. In these forms, Daikokuten was sometimes depicted as a figure with three scowling faces and six arms.
On the other hand, ... Buddhist temples in India enshrined Daikokuten on kitchen pillars as a god of fortune, depicting him as a black-colored, two-armed figure holding a sack. It was this [form] of Daikokuten which the Tendai ... [Shu] ... founder Saicho; introduced to Japan.
As esoteric Buddhism was transmitted to China and Japan, Daikokuten came to be depicted with a pleasant facial expression ... Further, the development of concepts of shinbutsu shugo [or Honjishin Suishakujin] led to the association of Daikoku with the native kami Okuninushi, based on the homophonic resemblance of the [kanji] used in their names." -- from The online Encyclopedia of Shinto Daikokuten
So this is another case of an ill tempered, distructive divinity, who converted to Buddhism, and reformed.
Nichiren's Gohonzon for Practicing Kanjin
There is at least one {1} original Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon kept at Mama Guhoji.
Mandala #075. LBIS Link . 'Late' Thick Brush Stroke} Mandala Gohonzon inscribed by Nichiren, formal style -- ravaged from Time. Coffehouse Gohonzon Shu Link
Posted by rbeck at October 1, 2006 12:20 AM