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Ikegami Honmonji: Historic Nichiren Temple in Tokyo

  • The temple buildings are visible from Ryōzen Bridge, which spans the Nomi River. A stone pillar engraved with the words Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō stands at the site.

    The temple buildings are visible from Ryōzen Bridge, which spans the Nomi River. A stone pillar engraved with the words Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō stands at the site.

  • The Daidō, reconstructed in 1964, houses a seated figure of Nichiren that is designated an important cultural asset.

    The Daidō, reconstructed in 1964, houses a seated figure of Nichiren that is designated an important cultural asset.

  • A statue of Nichiren stands in front of the Niōmon.

    A statue of Nichiren stands in front of the Niōmon.

  • The Niōmon gate was rebuilt in 1977.

    The Niōmon gate was rebuilt in 1977.

  • The two-story pagoda, an important cultural property, was erected in 1828 on the site of Nichiren’s cremation.

    The two-story pagoda, an important cultural property, was erected in 1828 on the site of Nichiren’s cremation.

  • The two-story pagoda’s brilliantly colored ornamentation brings to mind the architectural style of the Nikkō Tōshōgū in Tochigi Prefecture.

    The two-story pagoda’s brilliantly colored ornamentation brings to mind the architectural style of the Nikkō Tōshōgū in Tochigi Prefecture.

  • The Hakkakudō holds Nichiren’s cremated remains.

    The Hakkakudō holds Nichiren’s cremated remains.

  • The 96-step stone stairway was built by Katō Kiyomasa.

    The 96-step stone stairway was built by Katō Kiyomasa.

  • The pagoda was erected at the wish of shōgun Tokugawa Hidetada’s wet nurse Okabe no Tsubone.

    The pagoda was erected at the wish of shōgun Tokugawa Hidetada’s wet nurse Okabe no Tsubone.

  • The site is the final resting place for many women of the Kishū branch of the Tokugawa family, including Oman no Kata, the concubine of first shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu.

    The site is the final resting place for many women of the Kishū branch of the Tokugawa family, including Oman no Kata, the concubine of first shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu.

  • The grave of Kanō Tan’yū, who moved from Kyoto to Tokyo and was the official painter to the shogunate.

    The grave of Kanō Tan’yū, who moved from Kyoto to Tokyo and was the official painter to the shogunate.

  • Works by Kanō school painters on display at the Reihōden.

    Works by Kanō school painters on display at the Reihōden.

  • The main gate to the temple was erected during the Genroku period (1688–1709). The 1627 calligraphy by Kōetsu predates it.

    The main gate to the temple was erected during the Genroku period (1688–1709). The 1627 calligraphy by Kōetsu predates it.

  • On the left, “Kanasugibashi Shibaura,” a woodblock print dating from 1857 in the One Hundred Famous Views of Edo series by Hiroshige, depicts a crowd heading for o-eshiki. On the right, “O-eshiki at Honmonji,” part of the Thirty-six Scenes of Edo, printed in 1864. Hiroshige II (1826–1869) drew the background and Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864) provided the human figures. (Property of the National Diet Library)

    On the left, “Kanasugibashi Shibaura,” a woodblock print dating from 1857 in the One Hundred Famous Views of Edo series by Hiroshige, depicts a crowd heading for o-eshiki. On the right, “O-eshiki at Honmonji,” part of the Thirty-six Scenes of Edo, printed in 1864. Hiroshige II (1826–1869) drew the background and Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1864) provided the human figures. (Property of the National Diet Library)

  • The Shōtōen is open to the public only at certain times of the year. Saigō and Katsu conferred under the pergola visible across the water.

    The Shōtōen is open to the public only at certain times of the year. Saigō and Katsu conferred under the pergola visible across the water.

  • The sutra repository, reconstructed in 1784, miraculously survived wartime fire bombings.

    The sutra repository, reconstructed in 1784, miraculously survived wartime fire bombings.

  • The Shakaden main hall was built in 1969.

    The Shakaden main hall was built in 1969.

  • The Reihōden, which opened in 2003, exhibits valuable artifacts belonging to the temple.

    The Reihōden, which opened in 2003, exhibits valuable artifacts belonging to the temple.

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