Hinata - Niko

A Nichiren sect monk from the Kamakura period. He is also known as Sanmibou and Sado-no-Kami. He is said to have been from Mobara, Kazusa Province (Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture). He devoted himself to Nichiren from an early age, always following his teacher in his studies and sharing his hardships. He played a particularly important role in connecting Nichiren, who retired to Mount Minobu, with his followers living in other regions by letter and other means. At the time of Nichiren's death in 1282 (Kōan 5), he was chosen as one of the six main disciples, and is revered in later generations as one of the Six Elders of Nichiren. Hyuga's base of operations was Myoko-ji Temple (now Sogen-ji Temple) in Mobara, but in 1288 (Shoo 1), he was made the chief priest of Kuon-ji Temple on Mount Minobu (Minobu Town, Yamanashi Prefecture), and later moved here, leaving the position to Nisshu (1264-1334). With the help of the lord of the temple, Hakii Sanenaga (1222-1297), he established the foundations of Kuon-ji Temple, and retired to Mobara where he died.

[Takashi Nakao September 19, 2017]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

鎌倉時代の日蓮(にちれん)宗の僧。三位房(さんみぼう)、佐渡公(さどこう)とも称される。上総(かずさ)国藻原(もばら)（千葉県茂原(もばら)市）の出身と伝えられる。幼少のときから日蓮のもとに投じて、つねに師に従って修学し、困苦をともにしたという。とくに身延山(みのぶさん)に隠棲(いんせい)した日蓮と、地方に住む信者との間を、手紙などをもってつなぐ重要な役割を果たした。1282年（弘安5）の日蓮入滅(にゅうめつ)に際しては、本弟子6人のうちの一人に選ばれ、後世に六老僧の一人として敬われている。日向の本拠は藻原の妙光(みょうこう)寺（現在は藻原(そうげん)寺）であるが、1288年（正応1）に身延山久遠(くおん)寺（山梨県身延町）の住持に迎えられ、あとを日秀（1264―1334）に任せてここに移った。領主の波木井実長(はきいさねなが)（1222―1297）の助力を得て久遠寺の基礎を固め、藻原に隠棲して没した。

［中尾　尭　2017年9月19日］

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