[citation needed] The image was first explicitly mentioned in the last will and testament of Nikko Shonin for his designated successor Nichimoku, annually displayed every April 6 or 7 during the Goreiho O-mushibarai Daiho-e ceremony (English: The Airing of Sacred Treasures; 御霊宝虫払大法会) at the Head Temple.

Buildings at Taiseki-ji Head Temple in Shizuoka, Japan that have housed the Dai Gohonzon are the Shimonobo (1290), the Mutsubo (1332), the Mieido (1680), Gohozo (1717), the Hoanden (1955), the Shohondo (1978), and the Hoando (2002).

Carved deeply on the image are names of Buddhas, Buddhist and Indian gods along with mystical creatures representing the "Treasure Tower" of the Lotus Sutra which is also claimed to possess and imbue the immortal soul and legacy of Nichiren himself.

Furthermore, it also claims to possess the internal enlightenment of Nichiren revealed from a mysterious timeless past, termed as “Nai-Sho.”[citation needed] The venerated mandala has the following inscriptions on the right lower portion of the image: English Translation: "…Mr.

The High Priest Nittatsu Shonin once remarked the vague possibility that "Ya-shiro" refers to "Jin-shiro", the older brother of Yaroguro, one the three martyred disciples in 1279.

As High Priest, this permits the rendition of the mandala to range from being fully transcribed or abbreviated or to add and subtract whatever is deemed appropriate into the Gohonzon.

[citation needed] Legend claims that a Tennyo goddess named Shichimen (disguised as a little girl) kept following Nichiren Daishonin who at the time was reciting the Lotus Sutra at the Koza stone in Myosekibo temple (妙 石 坊).

Nichiren then took a reflective vase (mirror) and placed it before her, revealing her true identity as a red water dragon, gaining Buddhahood at that moment.

[citation needed] According to the doctrines of Nichiren Shoshu based on the Gosho writing Jogyo-Shu-den-Sho, Nippo underwent immense fasting and prayer to the dragon goddess Shichimen, the patroness of Yamanashi prefecture.

The Dai Gohonzon image was inscribed on a wood log procured from the water goddess by Nippo Shonin, one of his junior disciples.

Additionally, the statue of Nichiren carved by Nippo from the leftover remains of the original Camphorwood log is stored in a stupa next to the Dai-Gohonzon in the Hoando at Taisekiji.

When they arrived, a local police officer named Hei no Saemon Yoritsuna attempted to intimidate the peasants into renouncing their faith — on pain of death if they did not, but in exchange for their freedom if they did.

According to the sect, the creation of the Dai Gohonzon image is the ultimate purpose of Nichiren's entrance into the Sahā world of humans.

[citation needed] Accordingly, the priesthood of the sect claims that due to the present incompleteness of the altar of the Dai Gohonzon, it is not enshrined with Japanese Shikimi evergreen plants nor Taiko drums.

In addition, they believe that the Dai Gohonzon should not be exposed for public view until kosen-rufu is achieved, primarily referring to Nichiren Shoshu becoming the main religion on the planet.

"[9] On 16 September 1972, the 66th High Priest Nittatsu Hosoi Shonin in Hokeiji Temple in Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture asserted the authenticity of the wooden image, and cited the procurement of the log from a secluded part of Mount Minobu in response to the claims of external sourcing of the wood by other sects.

Owing to the scarcity of financial sources during Nichiren's own lifetime, they dismiss the claim of a Dai-Gohonzon's purpose and exclusive privilege to the present time.

The most notable and significant size changes after fire outbreaks have been recorded in the years 1600, 1764, 1911 and the current Dai Gohonzon, which was allegedly created by the 67th High Priest Nikken Shonin.

The priest Inada had recorded that he was granted lodging at Taiseki-ji and was able to examine the Dai Gohonzon image and other Nichiren mandalas stored within the Head Temple.

[17] A celebrated Samurai warrior named Taira—no—Morihisa allegedly experienced the same miraculous events similar to the execution of Nichiren at Shichirigahama beach prior to inscribing the Dai Gohonzon mandala eighty-six years earlier.

Morihisa presented this miraculous account of testimony to Lord Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first Kamakura Shogun of Japan, who claimed he experienced a similar vision and granted him clemency and freedom.