Nichiren Shonin was born on 16th February 1222 in Kominato in Chiba, on the edge of the pacific ocean. Nichiren Shonin's father, Shigetada Jiro Nukina was a fisherman who lived in a small hut not far from the beach with his wife Umegiku. On the morning of February 16th 1222 she gave birth to a son, who they named Zennichi Maro.

Nichiren Shonin’s mother dreamed a strange and beautiful dream: a tiny Sun came to rest on the petals of a pure, white lotus blossom. The Sun and blossom gently descended to enter her body and when she awoke, she knew that she was to give birth to a boy. According to tradition, Nichiren Shonin’s birth was accompanied by three lovely miracles. They are called “Sanki Zui: three miraculous signs”: a spring of water suddenly gushed up beside their house and was used for his first bath. The second, blue lotus flowers bloomed on the beach. The third, sea breams that live in deep Ocean, gathered up on the surface of the ocean. The third, you can still see even now, was designated as a special natural treasure and protected by the government.

Tanjo-ji marks the place where Nichiren Shonin was born.

Next: Seicho-ji

Back to Pilgrimage