The Northern and Southern Dynasties, Muromachi, Azuchi and
Momoyama Periods

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When the Kamakura Military Government collapsed in 1333 (the third year of the Genko Period/second year of the Shokyo Period), the center of government reverted to Kyoto. The various sects founded by Nichiren Daishonin’s disciples therefore followed the seat of political power to Kyoto. These sects gradually expanded their areas of activity and gained so much influence that Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei tried time and again to have them suppressed.

During the Azuchi and Momoyama Periods, members of Nichiren sects focused on admonishing slander and refuting the errors of other sects, which sometimes brought them into conflict with the government. When Toyotomi Hideoyoshi invited a thousand priests to participate in an offering ritual at the Daibutsu, Nichiren sects debated whether to accept the sovereign’s invitation and attend the ceremony or to refuse on the grounds that Nichiren’s disciples are forbidden from accepting slanderous offerings. This issue led to the formation of a policy prohibiting the Daishonin’s disciples and followers from making offerings to, or receiving offerings from, any person or group that embraces ideas contrary to the Daishonin’s teachings. A branch of the Nichiren sect was later founded on this policy.

Meanwhile, there were serious difficulties back at Taisekiji stemming not only from the proximity of the deaths of Nikko Shonin and Nichimoku Shonin, but also from legal battles over Taisekiji land resulting from inheritance issues within the Nanjo family. This caused a brief loss of momentum at the Head Temple. However, the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth High Priests, Nichido Shonin, Nichigyo Shonin and Nichiji Shonin, respectively, worked tirelessly to protect and ensure the eternal perpetuation of the true Law by admonishing the government, building branch temples, transmitting the Daishonin’s writings and authoring their own doctrinal works. The Ninth High Priest, Nichiu Shonin, solidified the internal structure of Nichiren Shoshu and codified the sect’s timeless rituals and formalities. The fourteenth High Priest, Nisshu Shonin, restored relations between Taisekiji and Yohoji Temple in Kyoto, which paved the way for Nissho Shonin, a former Yohoji priest, to become the fifteenth High Priest of Nichiren Shoshu.

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