Heroes in the Kamakura Era

Table of Contents


Unkei

? - 1223. The greatest sculptor in the Japanese history. He left many Butsuzo , Buddhist images.

Shinran

1173-1262. Shinran was the founder of Jodo-shin-shu , or Ikko-shu , a powerful sect of Japanese Buddhism.

Jodo-shin-shu in those days was known for its very aggressive attitude against the suppression. There were numerous revolts by Jodo-shin-shu farmers against rulers, which are called Ikko-ikki ( Ikki means ``revolt''). The morale of the believers were extremely high, and they fought to die. In the Civil War Era, Jodo-shin-shu was one of the major power among many warlords in Japan.

Jodo-shin-shu is still powerful in Japan today. However, Jodo-shin-shu devided into two sects in 17th century, Honganji sect and Nishi-Honganji sect. The schism was caused by Tokugawa Ieyasu to weaken the major threat to his Edo shogunate. Though the both sects have similar doctrine, they are at odds each other.



updated on 94/11/01
written by nishio@io.com