National Pillar Association

A lay Buddhist sect based on Nichiren doctrine. It originated from the Renge-kai, which was organized in Yokohama by Tanaka Chigaku in 1880 (Meiji 13), and then Rissho Ankoku-kai, which was formed in 1884. In 1914 (Taisho 3), the organization was unified nationwide, and the Saishokaku Shokyohoden was built in Miho, Shizuoka Prefecture, as its headquarters, and the Kokuchu-kai was founded. The name comes from a line in Nichiren's book Kaimoku-sho, "I will become a pillar of Japan." Since its founding, the organization has published such journals as "Myoshu," "Tengyo Minpo," and "Dainihon," and has actively engaged in missionary activities through writing. Its belief is that Nichiren Shonin is the one and only person essential to the salvation of humanity in the Latter Day of the Law, that one should believe in and practice the Lotus Sutra, reveal the Japanese national polity, and aim for a true world in which correct teachings and peace are established. It also advocates and practices Buddhist reform from the standpoint of lay Buddhism. In 1928 (Showa 3), the Myoshu Great Mausoleum was built in Edogawa Ichinoe, Tokyo, and the headquarters (Shinkouen) was established there. During this time, Yamakawa Chio (1879-1956) and the first Kosuge Tanji (1859-1916), founder of Isetan, and others worked to expand the church's influence both at home and abroad. Famous members include Ishihara Kanji and Miyazawa Kenji. Even after World War II, the movement continues to maintain the tradition of written evangelism through its official journal. There are 59 branches, 49 teachers, and 18,974 believers (Religious Yearbook, 2014 edition).

[Nakahira Senzaburo]

"Studies on Nichirenism" by Tanaka Koura (1981, Shinsekaisha)" ▽ "The Religion of Saint Nichiren" by Tanaka Koura (1979, Shinsekaisha)" ▽ "The World and Humanity of the Future" by Tanaka Koura (1978, Shinsekaisha)" ▽ "The Centennial History of the Kokuchukai, compiled by the Educational Affairs Department of the Kokuchukai (1984, Shinsekaisha)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

日蓮(にちれん)主義による在家(ざいけ)仏教教団。1880年（明治13）に田中智学(ちがく)が横浜に組織した蓮華(れんげ)会に端を発し、1884年結成した立正安国(りっしょうあんこく)会を経て、1914年（大正3）、組織を全国的に統一、静岡県三保(みほ)に最勝閣(さいしょうかく)正境宝殿を建立して本拠とし、国柱会が創始された。名称は、日蓮の著『開目抄』にある「われ日本(にほん)の柱とならん」に由来する。創始以来、『妙宗(みょうしゅう)』『天業民報(てんぎょうみんぽう)』『大日本(だいにほん)』など機関紙を発行し、文筆による伝道活動を活発に行ったが、その主張は、日蓮聖人を末法における人類救済のために必要不可欠な唯一者として仰ぎ、『法華経(ほけきょう)』を信行(しんぎょう)、日本国体を開顕(かいけん)し、立正安国の真世界を目ざすことにあり、在家仏教の立場から仏教改革を提唱、実践している。1928年（昭和3）には、東京・江戸川一之江に妙宗大霊廟(みょうしゅうだいれいびょう)を建立して本部（申孝園(しんこうえん)）を置くに至ったが、この間、山川智応(ちおう)（1879―1956）、伊勢丹(いせたん)創業者の初代小菅丹治(こすげたんじ)（1859―1916）らも内外から教勢の発展に努めた。著名な会員に石原莞爾(いしはらかんじ)、宮沢賢治らがいる。第二次世界大戦後も、機関紙による文書伝道の伝統を守って運動を展開している。支局数59、教師数49、信者数1万8974（『宗教年鑑』平成26年版）。

［中平千三郎］

『田中香浦著『日蓮主義の研究』（1981・真世界社）』▽『田中香浦著『日蓮聖人の宗教』（1979・真世界社）』▽『田中香浦著『これからの世界・人間』（1978・真世界社）』▽『国柱会教務部編『国柱会百年史』（1984・真世界社）』

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