Sugita Nippu

Nippu Sugita (born November 29, 1856 (Kōwa 2, January 6) – December 7, 1930, Showa 5), was a Japanese Nichiren Buddhist priest. He served as the 81st Head Priest of Kuon-ji Temple on Mount Minobu and as the 24th director of the Nichiren-shū. His courtesy name was Tansei, and his Dharma name was Chimei-in.

Regarding his birth and family background, he was born in Zōho Village, Nango District, Kai Province (present-day Masuho, Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture) as the fourth son of Takeemon Sugita. In his childhood, he entered Shōfuku-ji in Aoyagi, Masuho Village (Aoyagi Town, Fuefuki City), and at the age of four, he was ordained into the Buddhist priesthood, receiving ordination at age fourteen. Subsequently, he studied at the Nishitani Hall of Mount Minobu, and in 1875 (Meiji 8), he began studying under Yoshikawa Nikkō at Chūkō-in. Two years later, he received guidance from Shinjo Nissh at Dākyō-in, a leading institution of the Nichiren-shū located within Jōe-ji Temple grounds in Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo.

Among the parishioners of Jōe-ji was Ishibashi Tōzaburō, a tatami dealer, who married Tansei's second daughter, Kint. His children included three sons and three daughters, among them Tansan.

At age thirty, he returned to Shōfuku-ji and took up the position of head priest. From then on, he actively promoted missionary activities throughout Yamanashi Prefecture, contributing to the modernization of religious administration in the region. During this period, he also engaged in proselytizing activities in Taiwan and Korea as a representative of Nichiren Buddhism. In education, he was also active, founding the "Kyōyū Zasshi" (Fellowship Magazine), participating in the establishment of Yamanashi Normal School, and later serving as president of the Nichiren Buddhist University (now Rissho University). After World War II, this university was renamed Rissho University, with his son, Ishibashi Tanzan, serving as president.

In 1924 (Taishō 13), he became the Head Priest of Kuon-ji Temple, and the following year, he was promoted to the position of Director-General of Nichiren-shū. He dedicated efforts to the development of Mount Minobu and the expansion of religious administration. In 1930 (Shōwa 5), during his pilgrimage to spread Buddhism across the country to celebrate the 650th anniversary of Nichiren's passing, he collapsed and died.

His genealogy is recorded in the Ishibashi family tree. Sugita Tansei married Kint, the daughter of Ishibashi Tōzaburō, and among his descendants was the notable figure Ishibashi Tanzan.

Reference materials include "Nippu Sugita, the Priest Who Led the Forefront of Propagation (Nichiren-shū Newspaper)" and external links provided for further information.