1911-1999
male
Joining Hogo-in at Todaiji Temple in 1927, he trained under Shimizu Kimitoshi (later his father-in-law) to become a formal Buddhist monk. After four years of zen training at Tairyuji Temple from 1933, he became the chief priest of Tadaiji Temple’s Tatchu Ryuzoin and Dojoin in 1937.
He was dispatched to China during the war, but after returning to Japan in 1946 he became the chief priest of Todaiji Temple’s Hogo-in. In 1947, he founded Seisei Junior High School (renamed Todaiji Gakuen) in 1947, contributing to education through becoming director of Todaiji Kindergarten and Girls’ Academy in 1963. After becoming headmaster of the Kegon Buddhist sect and head deacon of Todaiji Temple, he has served as a high priest, superintendent priest of Kegon Buddhism, and chief priest of Todaiji, serving as the 207th and 208th head. in 1981, he became the senior monk at Todaiji Temple and received the Buddhist Missionary Culture Award.
One of his representative works is Todaiji Temple’s Showa University Great Buddha Hall Repair Memorial Celebration, a project over which he presided and served for 10 years from 1972.
In addition to his clerical duties, he was known as an art researcher who appraised artist signatures, classic books, and antique porcelains. He also produced a number of his own works such as paintings, ceramics, and books.
His terracotta-style Dorobotoke Buddha statue is particularly popular due to its charm.
