Ryūkōji (龍口寺)

Ryukoji (龍口寺)

Niomon

Sanmon

Jakkouzan Ryukoji (寂光山龍口寺) is a Buddhist temple of the Nichiren Shu sect, located in the Katase District of Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture.  The temple's origins is said to trace back to 1337, when Nichiren's direct disciple, Nippo, built a hall to commemorate the Tatsunokuchi Persecution (龍ノ口法難)—the event where Nichiren was nearly executed.

Marker at site of execution site

During the late Kamakura period, Nichiren wrote the Rissho Ankokuron, advocating Hokekyo as a means to bring peace and stability to the country.  The Kamakura shogunate, alarmed by this activity, attempted to execute Nichiren at Tatsunokuchi.  According to legend, as the execution was about to take place, a large ball of light flew from the direction of Enoshima to the execution site, causing the executioner to tremble and fall to the ground in fear.  The execution was called off and Nichiren was exiled to Sado.  This event became known as the Tatsunokuchi Persecution.  The cave where Nichiren was imprisoned still remains.

Cave where Nichiren was imprisoned

The temple also houses a five-story pagoda, which has been recognized as one of the "100 Best Architectural Sites in Kanagawa Prefecture," along with a stupa.

Photography inside the temple buildings is prohibited.