History
Seven centuries of light
Gyokusenzan Ankokuin — a Nichiren (Minobu) temple in Ichikawa, founded in 1315.
A temple of the Nichiren school (Minobu branch) with over 700 years of history in Ichikawa, Chiba. It was founded in 1315 by the priest Matsumotobō Nichinen as Gyokusenzan Chōonji, and served as an inke — a sub-temple assisting the head temple Mamasan Guhōji in its affairs.
The temple declined in the Meiji era, until the 40th chief priest, Genjōin Nichiyū, took office in 1908 and devoted himself to its revival. In 1919 the Seishōkō-dō, a shrine to the warlord Katō Kiyomasa, was moved here from Sumida, Tokyo, and the temple changed greatly. Its fortunes restored, the light of the Dharma continues through 43 chief priests.
Chronology
- 2025The 100th hair memorial service
- 2023Tachibana Gallery opens on the site of the former kindergarten
- 2014Masaki Nakayama becomes the 43rd chief priest
- 1921 (Taishō 10)The hair memorial service begins, started by barbers of Nihonbashi
- 1919 (Taishō 8)The Seishōkō-dō, enshrining the warlord Katō Kiyomasa, is moved here from Sumida, Tokyo — the temple is transformed
- 1908 (Meiji 41)The 40th chief priest, Genjōin Nichiyū, takes office and devotes himself to rebuilding the temple
- Meiji eraA period of decline
- 1315 (Shōwa 4)Founded by the priest Matsumotobō Nichinen as Gyokusenzan Chōonji, a sub-temple (inke) assisting the head temple Mamasan Guhōji
Chief priests of the modern era
- 40thGenjōin NichiyūTook office in 1908; rebuilt the temple
- 41thRijō NakayamaGonnodaisōjō. Ichikawa city councillor from 1948 and first chairman of the city's sports association for thirty years; recorded the origins of the hair memorial stone (1976).
- 42thKankō NakayamaFather of the present chief priest
- 43thMasaki NakayamaChief priest since 2014 (Junkōshi rank, Nichiren-shū). Computer-graphics researcher and artist; CEO of LUXOPHIA.
