About temple
Kakurinbo is the spiritual home of the venerable Nitcho, the 11th head priest of Kuonji. In death, Nitcho is revered as a deity for eyesight and academic study.
As a Kuonji sub-temple, Kakurinbo has served the faithful for over 550 years.
In addition to accommodation, Kakurinbo offers prayers for the safety of drivers, the healing of eye disorders, academic merit and business success.
Nitcho and Kakurinbo
The venerable Nitcho was instrumental in the revival of Nichiren Buddhism and the relocation of Kuonji, the sect’s head temple, to its current location.
In 1462, at the age of only 41, Nitcho became the 11th head priest of Nichiren Buddhism. At the time, Kuonji was located in the Nishitani district of Minobusan. However, the temple was too small to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers, so Nitcho initiated the grand project of relocating Kuonji to its current location. The relocation, which was timed to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of the venerable Nichiren, the founder of the sect, took several years to complete.
Other achievements during his tenure, which lasted until 1499, include unifying the sect, establishing education for monks, developing and expanding Minobusan, writing over 500 books, and building some 40 new temples in the Kanto region.
Today, the venerable Nitcho is revered as the “father of the sect’s revival.”
This temple, Gyogakuin Kakurinbo, was built as a retirement residence for Nitcho. He is enshrined in Nitcho-do, the vermillion-colored temple at the entrance to Kakurinbo.
Healing of eye disorders and academic success
Deity of eyesight and academic study
The venerable Nitcho (1422-1500), the founder of Gyogakuin Kakurinbo and 11th head priest of Kuonji, dedicated so much of his time to the study of Nichiren Buddhism that, at the age of 61, he began to lose his eyesight. Not to be deterred, he turned to his faith and eventually overcame his blindness. Nitcho went on to write a thesis about his experience that would help others suffering from eyesight disorders. This led to him being recognized as a deity of eyesight upon his death. Belief in the power of the venerable Nitcho to cure eye diseases continues to this day.
Nitcho Sui
In honor of the venerable Nitcho, Kakurinbo offers Nitcho Sui eye drops, which are made with the sacred water of Mt. Minobu. They are effective in cleansing and purifying the eyes.
It is said that by chanting the Lotus Sutra Namu myoho renge kyo, you will not only open your eyes but also your “mind’s eye,” which will purify your daily life and enrich your mind.
※ Please be aware that eye drops with a similar name and packaging are sold in Minobusan but are not endorsed by this temple.
Gyogakuin Kakurinbo
Historical Japan and Buddhist culture under one roof
Kakurinbo’s inner garden is believed to have been designed by the great Zen Buddhist monk Muso Kokushi, the hengaku framed plate on the main gate is by master calligrapher Hon’ami Koetsu, and Nitcho-do’s ceiling is decorated with carvings donated by the Tokugawa family. Furthermore, the adjacent mausoleum contains the remains of the venerable Nitcho.
Numerous valuable artifacts can be seen in Kakurinbo’s main hallway, while 13 exquisite wedding kimonos are displayed in the guest corridors.
For centuries, this temple lodging has welcomed pilgrims visiting Kuonji. However, in recent years, Kakurinbo has seen an increase in the number of guests from overseas. Although tradition and culture must be preserved, the way is it expressed will always change. How best to pass on Nichiren Buddhism and, by extension, Buddhism to the next generation as a sub-temple and a shukubo is Kakurinbo’s next challenge, as it builds on 550 years of history.
Cultural Assets and Facilities
Muso Kokushi garden
Kakurinbo’s garden is believed to have been designed by the great Zen monk Muso Kokushi and built around 1690 by Gyogakuin’s 16th head priest, the venerable Nisshun. Although the style is of the Muromachi period, there is an unpretentious sensibility to the design, which is known as shinji-ike (lit. “heart letter pond”). The pond, which is fed by a small waterfall under sanzonseki, three stones that depict the Buddha triad, forms the ideogram for “heart” when viewed from above. The restrained colors of the surrounding greenery and moss-covered stones serve to highlight the brightly colored koi carp, while the arrangement of lanterns, oddly-shaped stones, old pine trees and azaleas add a touch of elegance. The garden has been designated a place of scenic beauty in Minobu and a local cultural asset.
Nitcho-do ceiling carvings donated by the Tokugawa family
As a boy, Tokugawa Ietsuna, later to become the fourth shogun, suffered from failing eyesight. After hearing of the venerable Nitcho, the family called for a priest to be sent from Minobusan to Edo (today’s Tokyo) to pray for the boy. Eventually, Ietsuna’s eyesight returned. As a token of his appreciation, he donated the ceiling carvings that adorn Nitcho-do at Kakurinbo and other gifts, such as Buddhist altar fittings. Items of historical value that would not be out of place in a museum can be viewed in Nitcho-do as they were in their original state.
Authentic wedding kimonos
Authentic wedding kimonos are displayed in the guest corridors of Kakurinbo. For a small fee, guests can experience trying on these exquisite costumes. With the help of a staff member, it takes only five minutes to put a kimono on. The photos you take will be a lasting memory of your time in Japan.
Hon’ami Koetsu’s Hengaku
On the main gate of Kakurinbo, there is a “hengaku” signboard displaying Kakurinbo’s temple name “Gyogakuin.” The calligraphy is by the great 16th and 17th century artist Hon’ami Koetsu, known as one of the “Three Brushes of the Kan’ei Era.” The word “Gyogaku” is derived from “Gyogaku nido” (training and study), the meaning of which is to develop one’s character without neglecting either of these two paths.
Successive chief priests
行学院覚林坊 歴世住持職一覧
| 世 | 住職名 | 入寂年次 | 備考 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 開山 | 行学院鏡澄日朝大上人 （加賀阿闍梨） | 明応9庚申（1500）年6月25日（行年79歳） | 身延山久遠寺中興11世 妙厳山（鎌倉東身延）本覚寺2世 常在山（三島）本覚寺2世 妙應山正行寺二祖 |
| 第二世 | 行学院日恒上人 | 永正6己巳（1509）年8月1日 | |
| 第三世 | 行学院日殿上人 | 享禄3庚寅（1530）年12月18日 | |
| 第四世 | 報恩院日淳上人 | 弘治1乙卯（1555）年3月19日 | |
| 第五世 | 勧村院日習上人 | 弘治3丁巳（1557）年5月21日 | |
| 第六世 | 本行院日政上人 | 永禄2己未（1559）年4月1日 | |
| 第七世 | 行学院日讃上人 | 天正9辛巳（1581）年11月15日 | |
| 第八世 | 行学院日義上人 | 慶長16辛亥（1611）年7月13日 | |
| 第九世 | 陽和院日泰上人 | 元和4戊午（1618）年5月4日 | |
| 第十世 | 行学院日念上人 | 寛永1甲子（1624）年3月20日 | |
| 第十一世 | 行学院日諦上人 | 寛永11甲戌（1634）年10月1日 | |
| 第十二世 | 正覚院日述上人 | 寛文4甲辰（1664）年7月23日 | |
| 第十三世 | 意真院日誠上人 | 元禄6癸酉（1693）年2月26日 | |
| 第十四世 | 顕妙院日承上人 | 貞享4丁卯（1687）年5月13日 | |
| 第十五世 | 法住院日宗上人 | 元禄3庚午（1690）年10月29日（行年49歳） | |
| 第十六世 | 一行院日俊上人 | 享保11丙午（1726）年1月15日（行年74歳） | |
| 第十七世 | 玄理院日儀上人 | 正徳3癸巳（1713）年9月21日 | |
| 第十八世 | 生善院日陽上人 | 元文1丙辰（1736）年10月4日 | |
| 第十九世 | 学陽院日晨上人 | 宝暦9己卯（1759）年2月24日（行年83歳） | |
| 第二十世 | 大智院日雅上人 | 明和4丁亥（1767）年2月22日 | |
| 第二十一世 | 大牙院日迎上人 | 明和3丙戌（1766）年5月12日（行年60歳） | |
| 第二十二世 | 善翁院日養上人 | 寛政8丙辰（1796）年3月10日（行年69歳） | |
| 第二十三世 | 学善院日量上人 | 文政1戊寅（1818）年3月25日（行年59歳） | |
| 第二十四世 | 善智院日勇上人 | 天保5甲午（1834）年12月12日 | |
| 第二十五世 | 豊善院日習上人 | 文政1戊寅（1818）年3月25日（行年75歳） | |
| 第二十六世 | 潮善院日堅上人 | 文政10丁亥（1827）年6月3日（行年46歳） | |
| 第二十七世 | 一勇院日示上人 | 天保7丙申（1836）年8月17日 | |
| 第二十八世 | 静中院日守上人 | 天保9戊戌（1838）年9月9日 | |
| 第二十九世 | 太量院日考上人 | 天保14癸卯（1843）年3月20日 | |
| 第三十世 | 潮解院日明上人 | 嘉永3庚戌（1850）年10月13日（行年60歳） | |
| 第三十一世 | 智妙院日弘上人 | 元治2乙丑（1865）年2月5日（行年56歳） | |
| 第三十二世 | 是感院日行上人 | 明治2己巳（1869）年4月1日（行年53歳） | |
| 第三十三世 | 顕妙院日修上人 | ||
| 第三十四世 | 妙俊院日寿上人 | 明治20丁亥（1887）年6月10日（行年69歳） | |
| 第三十五世 | 智逗院日照上人 | 明治31戊戌（1898）年6月15日（行年60歳） | |
| 第三十六世 | 正明院日温上人 | 大正4乙卯（1915）年9月25日（行年63歳） | |
| 第三十七世 | 一乗院日謙上人 | 昭和18癸未（1943）年9月23日（行年79歳） | |
| 第三十八世 | 是本院日実上人 | 昭和16辛巳（1941）年7月27日（行年77歳） | |
| 第三十九世 | 円行院日妙上人 | 昭和27壬辰（1952）年1月31日（行年72歳） | |
| 第四十世 | 円光院日仙上人 （樋口是端） | 昭和45庚戌（1970）年7月3日（行年76歳） | 七面山敬慎院別当 身延山久遠寺一老職 |
| 第四十一世 | 円行院日明上人 （樋口是澄） | 平成19丁亥（2007）年4月8日（行年77歳） | 七面山敬慎院別当 身延山久遠寺一老職 |
| 第四十一世 | 円心院日誠 （樋口是亮） | 七面山敬慎院120世別当 | |
Sutras and Prayer
Receive the blessings of the venerable Nitcho at Gyogakuin Kakurinbo
The venerable Nitcho has a long history of curing eyesight disorders and aiding academic success
The venerable Nitcho is known as the deity of eyesight and academic study. Since prayers made by a monk from this temple were said to have cured the failing eyesight of the boy shogun, Tokugawa Ietsuna (1641-1680), worshippers have come from far and wide to Kakurinbo to receive the temple’s blessings. Furthermore, as Nitcho was a renowned scholar, he was also made a deity of academic success upon his death in 1500.
Goshuin
Goshuin are a red stamps (or seals) collected by worshippers at shrine and temples. They are said to influence the minds of the gods. Kakurinbo offers goshuin and oshudai (stamp books) to all visitors who wish to document their connection with Kakurinbo and Nichiren Buddhism. Please ask for goshuin and oshudai at Kakurinbo’s entrance after visiting our hondo (main temple hall) and Nitcho-do. The goshuin and oshudai designs are changed at the whim of the head priest, so there are several styles to choose from.
About Kakurinbo from now on
