Paper short abstract:

This paper examines Nichirenist views of women in modern Japan. Since Nichirenist narratives about women followed that of Nichiren (1222-1982), I will examine how Nichiren's writings about women were reframed and retold in the context of modern Japan.

Paper long abstract:

This paper examines Nichirenist views of women in modern Japan. Nichirenism particularly affected young people at the time, but it affected women as well as men. Therefore, Nichirenism discourse also has a message for women. Since Nichirenist's narrative about women followed that of Nichiren, I need to analyze how Nichiren's writings about women have been re-telled in the context of modern Japan by Nichirenists.

This paper focuses on the narrative of two Nichirenist thinkers, Honda Nissho（1867-1931） and Matsumori Reiun（1875-1920）. Honda was the chief priest of the Kenpon Hokke-sect and a well-known Nichirenist at the time. On the other hand, Matsumori was a Nichiren-sect priest and served the chief priest of Nichiren-sect. In addition, Matsumori was involved in the activities of the Murakumo Women's Association（Buddhist Women's association, which was founded in 1906 by Murakumo Nichiei (1855-1920), a nun from the Imperial family.

The narratives about women by these two Nichirenists had something in common. They both referred to Nichiren's writings, 'Women follow others and thereby cause others to follow them.'(Kyodai sho ) and'An arrow cannot fly without a bow. A cloud cannot move without a dragon. A man cannot work without a woman.' (Toki-ama gozen gosho) Both Honda and Matsumori quoted these writings and preached patriarchal views on marriage. However, Nichiren was a rare priest who preached women become a Buddha by the Lotus Sutra. Nichiren did not confirm to the feudal view of married couples and even argued that women would lead men to belief in the Lotus Sutra. I argue that modern Nichirenists neglected these radical aspects of Nichiren's view on women. Hence this paper critically re-examines modern Nichirenist views of women.