Dan Sherer: The Purpose and Significance of the Tenshô 4 (1576) Nichiren-sect Kanjin Campaign in Kyoto

12:15-12:45Dan Sherer, USC History Department

"The Purpose and Significance of the Tenshô 4 (1576) Nichiren-sect Kanjin Campaign in Kyoto”

In 1576, the Council of Head Temples of the Nichiren sect in Kyoto held a city-wide fundraising (kanjin) campaign. While there are detailed accounts showing who donated, how much they donated, and how the money raised was spent, the campaign remains a mysterious affair. Fundraising campaigns in Japan were typically universal; this one was sectarian. Fundraising campaigns in Japan had a clear stated goal, usually building or repairing temple buildings. This one however paid for gifts to warriors (primarily during the regime of Oda Nobunaga) over a period beginning in 1572 and ending in 1577. In this presentation, using sources concerning the campaign, I will explain how and why it was undertaken.

天正四年、京都の日蓮宗本山会合が洛中勧進を行った。寄贈者の名前と帰依僧、寄付金の額も集めたお金の支出も、詳しく記されいるが、この勧進がまだ不思議なことである。中世日本の勧進は宗派を問わず、すべての人を対象とした。天正四年洛中勧進は日蓮宗に限った。そのうえ、普通に勧進は寺社の修造や造営などの表明された目標がある。天正四年洛中勧進は表明された目標がなく、その募金が元亀三年から天正五年にかけて幕府・織田政権の関係者への贈与の費用を負担した。本報告は天正四年勧進の関係資料を説明して、勧進の目標と意義を明らかにしたい。