Honjaku

Honjaku (born March 12, 1808 (Kano 5, 2nd month 16) – December 12, 1877 (Meiji 10)), was a Japanese Buddhist priest. He served as the 27th chief priest of Jōdo Shinshū Kōshō-ji. His birth name was Hanazo no Kane no Bu, and his posthumous name was Daitsuanki Shin-in.

Honjaku was born in 1808 as the second son of Fujiwara Takatoshi, the regent. His mother was a household lady. He was tonsured at Kōshō-ji in 1811, and at the age of 11 in 1819, he became the head of Kōshō-ji. One of Honjaku’s contributions was the independence of Kōshō-ji from the Western Hongan-ji, establishing it as the “Shinshū Kōshō-ha.”

Regarding his family, his wife was Ichijo Yoshiko (daughter of Regent Ichijo Tadatera). His eldest son was Sawa Kanenobu (born May 7, 1836, died April 10, 1861), his second son was Shinkō (born August 13, 1845, died March 16, 1872), his third son was Sawa Shō (born June 8, 1852, died November 19, 1912), and his fourth son was Shinkyō (born June 10, 1857, died November 13, 1913).

During the late Edo period, Honjaku clearly aligned with the pro-imperial stance. While cooperating with the head of Western Hongan-ji and Kōshō-ji, he gradually consolidated his own faction. During the Boshin War, he joined the new government forces and also took actions such as sheltering Choshu domain soldiers within the temple grounds during the Ikedamain Revolt, and helping them escape through a back gate.

After the Meiji Restoration, it became mandatory to bear a surname, and he adopted the surname Hanazo. He actively participated in the government’s policy of national religious promotion, serving roles such as Daikyo-era chief priest of religious teachings. He conducted missionary activities with many disciples and followers, with special efforts in the former Satsuma domain (present-day Kagoshima Prefecture).

Honjaku kept a nearly daily diary, which includes detailed accounts of the damage caused by the 1830 Kyoto earthquake. In his later years, he focused on missionary work in Satsuma domain, where Buddhist teachings had been restricted under the decree banning such activities.

He died at the age of 69 on December 12, 1877 (Meiji 10). After his death, he was mourned by disciples and followers. He was a male-line descendant of Emperor Higashi (Emperor Seiwa) and also a male-line progeny of the Takatsukasa family.