Nichiren Mandala Gohonzon # 053; Nitcho Shonin Juyo Honzon of August 1278

Mandala Number # 053 in the 日蓮聖人御本尊集 {Nichiren Shonin Gohonzon Catalog}. This Nichiren Gohonzon is mapped here: 日蓮聖人　大漫荼羅　０５３

• Era & Year {年}: 弘安 {koan} 1年 {nen}; First year of the Koan Era -- 1278
• Month; Moon {月}: Eighth {August}
• Day; Sun {日}: Unknown
• Nichiren's Laudatory Inscription {讃文}: 仏滅度後二千二百三十余年之間一閻浮提之内未曽有大漫荼羅也 { {Butsu-metsu-do-go ni-sen ni-hyaku san-ju yo nen no aida ichienbudai no uchi mi-zo-u dai-man-da-ra nari}}
• Side Phrases: There are four of these. Two relate to the blessings derived from making offerings to and praising the Lotus Sutra. The other two to the Karmic retribution from defamation.
  

1. Top Left {that is your right side if you are facing the Mandala}: 有供養者福過十號 {u ku yo sha fuku ka ju go} . A person who makes offerings will experience good fortune that exceeds the Ten Titles.
2. Lower Left: 謗者開罪於無間 {bo sha kai zui ue mu-gen}. People who vilify this shall reap the fruit of their sin immediately.
3. Top Right: 若惱亂者頭破七分 {nyaku no ran sha zu ha shichi bun}. Those who vex and and annoy will have their heads broken into seven parts.
4. Lower Right: 賛者積福於安明 {San sha seki? fuku ue an-myo. A person who assists this will pile up fortune higher than Sumeru.
   

• Conferral; Recipient {授与書}: 日頂 {Nitcho} 上人 {Shonin} (1252-1317); aka Iyo-bo. He was one the Six Elder Ministers 六老僧 {Rokuroso} designated by Nichiren Shonin on his death bed. He was a step-son of 富木常忍 {Toki Jonin} (1216–1299), also known as 日常 {Nichijo}. Nitcho had a younger brother named 日澄 {Nitcho}; aka Jakusenbo. At some point the Elder Nitcho served as Chief Abbot of 真間山弘法寺 {Mamasan Guboji}. Sometime after Nichiren's passing, a conflict with his step-father caused 日頂 {Nitcho} to leave Guboji. He eventually went to his mother's home area of 重須 {Omuso} [now Kitayama] and assisted another Elder, 日興 {Nikko} (1246–1333). Reliable sources indicate that Nitcho was at Omosu by 1302, and built a small temple near there, called Shorin-ji, in March in 1303.
• Kept at / Housed at Possession {所蔵}: Shizuoka Prefecture Shizuoka City Shimizu Kaicho-ji,
• Nickname / Popular Name {通称}: 日頂上人 授与本尊 {Nitcho Shonin Juyo Honzon}
• Sheets {紙数}: Three sheets of Paper
• Width {幅}: 52.4 cm {20 5/8 inches}
• Height {丈}: 94.5 cm {37.25 inches }