Statue of Nichiren

You’re now standing at the entrance of Honnō-ji Temple, a temple of the Nichiren Buddhist tradition founded in the early 15th century, long before it became linked to one of the most dramatic turning points in Japanese history. In 1582, this was the site of the famous “Incident at Honnō-ji,” when the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga was betrayed by one of his own generals and met his end here. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, and the buildings you see today date mainly from the early 20th century. The statue in front of you, however, is not a tribute to Nobunaga, but to Nichiren, a 13th-century Buddhist monk who founded one of Japan’s major religious traditions. Living in a time marked by conflict and natural disasters, Nichiren believed the country had entered a deep spiritual crisis. He taught that only one text, the Lotus Sutra, could guide people toward salvation, affirming that all beings have the potential to reach enlightenment. That is the scripture he holds in his left hand. He is depicted as if speaking directly to those passing by, almost like a preacher addressing the crowd, eager to share his conviction. After his death in 1282, his followers established several schools based on his teachings, many of which remain active today. For millions of people in Japan, Nichiren is remembered as a passionate reformer who sought to make Buddhism more direct, more accessible, and closely connected to everyday life.