Reply to Niiama

Background

This letter was written in the second month of the twelfth year of Bun’ei (1275), the year after Nichiren Daishonin returned from his exile to Sado and retired to Mount Minobu. It was the Daishonin’s response to a letter from Niiama and her husband’s mother (or possibly, grandmother), Ōama, requesting that the Daishonin inscribe a Gohonzon for them. In contrast to Ōama (elder nun), the letter’s recipient was called Niiama (younger nun).

Ōama had been the wife of Hōjō Tomotoki, the younger brother of the third regent, Yasutoki. Tomotoki was also the lord of Nagasa District in Awa Province, where the Daishonin was born. Tōjō Village, which later itself became a district, was in this area. Niiama is said to have been the wife of either Tomotoki’s son or grandson. Both women were widows and lived together in Tōjō. The Daishonin’s family was apparently indebted to Ōama for some kindness she had extended to them. Once when Tōjō Kagenobu, the steward of the same area, put pressure on Ōama in an effort to bring Seichō-ji temple under his control, the Daishonin exerted himself on her behalf in order to repay his obligation and to thwart Kagenobu’s attempt.

Soon after the Daishonin proclaimed the correct teaching for the Latter Day of the Law, Ōama became his follower. She was not steadfast, however, and abandoned her faith around the time of the Tatsunokuchi Persecution. After the Daishonin situated himself at Minobu, she again changed her mind and asked him to grant her a Gohonzon. He refused, knowing her faith to be unstable. He did, however, bestow a Gohonzon upon Niiama.