The origins of Myoshinji temple trace back to 1615, when Kojima Kanbei, a vassal of Oda Nobunaga , established a small hermitage in Edo (present-day Tokyo). Through the centuries, this hermitage evolved into Josenji Temple, which became part of the Butsuryu lineage of the Nichiren tradition.
During the early Showa era, the temple’s followers expanded toward Yokohama. Under the devoted guidance of Ven. Shimizu Nippak Shounin, the Kanagawa Center was founded in 1943, marking the beginning of Myoshinji’s modern history.
Despite severe wartime destruction during the 1945 Great Yokohama Air Raid, the temple narrowly escaped complete ruin.After the war, the temple revived rapidly through acts of compassion and faith.
Myoshinji Temple, Yokohama, japan
In 1947, the temple was officially named Myoshinji, and its grand opening ceremony drew over 2,000 visitors from Japan and abroad. Under Ven. Nippak Shounin’s leadership, Myoshinji became a dynamic center for both propagation and social service. He founded the Yurikagoen orphanage in 1950, initiated visits to hospitals and sanatoriums, published the believers’ journal Ichijitsu, and established youth groups such as the Boy Scouts of Yokohama.
Myoshinji also played a pioneering role in overseas propagation. In 1955, Ven. Nippak Shounin led the first missionary tour to Brazil, laying the foundation for the Butsuryu Shu’s activities abroad. Later, he participated in a second tour in 1964, even while gravely ill. His devotion to spreading teachings of the Lotus Sutra never wavered.
In 1966, Myoshinji was officially recognized as a second-class temple, symbolizing its growth and contributions. The following year, Ven. Nippak Shounin passed away, leaving behind a lasting spiritual legacy.
His successor, Ven. Nagamatsu Seiryo (Nisso), became the second chief priest in 1969. He led with youthful energy, organizing educational and cultural programs, establishing the Totsuka Betsuin, and constructing new facilities, including the main hall in Mitsuzawa (1972), the Cultural Hall (1976), and the Yamato Betsuin (1979). Under his leadership, Myoshinji became known as “a temple of the new era,” featuring modern architecture and community-centered activities such as the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
After Ven. Nisso Shounin’s passing in 2000, his son, Ven. Nagamatsu Seijun (Nichio), became the third chief priest. He has since guided the temple into the digital and international age—renewing publications, launching a website, holding online Dharma lectures, and leading missionary activities in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Italy, Brazil, India, and Nepal.
Today, Myoshinji stands as a vibrant center of faith, education, and community service, carrying forward the unbroken spirit of the Lotus Sutra through three generations of dedicated priests.