History of Honkouji

On April 28, 1361, Nichiin Shounin came from Nakayama to this village (Mikado) and established an edifice as a secluded ground. In May of that year, he received permission from Nakayama Hokekyouji Temple to officially name the new temple. He passed away on November 17 of the same year.
Nichiin Shounin was the nephew of Nichikou Shounin II of Nakayama Hokekyouji (the son of Oota Joumyou). It is said that he worked hard to spread the teaching of Nichiren Shounin and took on the sacred duty of educating followers about Risshouankoku (the book containing the teachings of Nichiren Shounin).
Another legend has it that this temple bore the name of Kouinzan, a name taken from that of Harabuzen Nyuudou Mitsutane (the kanji for Mitsutane are the same as those for Kouin, but read differently). Mitsutane managed a temple called Buzenbou which some say later became this temple. 
Mitsutane was the son of Haratanechika. He went by the name of Magojirou and held the position of Buzennokami. When he became Buddhist he took the name of Buzennyudo and the Buddhist name of Shougakuin.
On February 7, 1466, he died in battle during the Battle of Yoshikawa (Yoshikawa City, Saitama Prefecture). It is sometimes said that he died on February 6.

In 1816, the edifice was rebuilt by the 23rd Chief Priest. The main hall was rebuilt in 1967 by the 34th Chief Priest, and the reception hall was rebuilt in 1971.