Honmyo-ji

Honmyo-ji is a branch temple of the Hokke sect (Jinmonryu) located in Sugamo, Toshima, Tokyo. It was founded in 1572 (Genki 2) by Chizoin Nikei, at the request of retainers of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The temple followed Ieyasu through several relocations as he established his rule in Edo. In 1657, it became associated with the Great Fire of Meireki (Furisode-kaji), though the true origin of the fire remains debated. In 1667, the temple was elevated to the prestigious role of furegashira (representative head) for the Hokke sect, making it a central institution of Hokke Buddhism in Edo. It relocated to its current Sugamo site between 1908 and 1911, and became a branch temple of the head temple Honjo-ji in 1941.