[citation needed] It traces its origins to three martyr disciples who were arrowed and later beheaded in the Atsuhara persecutions and a more recent tradition of family lineages between 1726 and 1829 who have historically protected the Dai-Gohonzon over the centuries.

Hokkekō members meet in residential homes and hold a local chapter each year to plan their Tozan religious pilgrimages to the Taisekiji temple.

Before the current lay association established with Nichiren Shōshū members, the Hokkekō traces its origins to the Atsuhara persecutions, who were mostly lower-class peasants in Japanese feudal society.

Seventeen believers were whipped and dragged to their death, while three farmers, Jin-shirou, Yagoro and Yarou-Kuro, were tied to a wooden post and killed by arrows after not renouncing the Lotus Sūtra in favour of the Pure Land teachings.

[citation needed] In later references, temple congregations known as Hokkekō or Hokkekōshū (法 華 講 衆) date back to at least the 13th century.