Akimoto Tarō Hyōe-no-jō ［秋元太郎兵衛尉］ (d. 1291): A lay follower of Nichiren who lived in Imba District of Shimōsa Province, Japan. Akimoto is believed to have converted to Nichiren’s teachings in 1260 when Nichiren, having narrowly escaped an attack in Kamakura that came to be called the Matsubagayatsu Persecution, went to Shimōsa and stayed at the residence of Toki Jōnin, one of his leading followers, for nearly half a year. Akimoto was on friendly terms with Soya Kyōshin and Ōta Jōmyō who lived in the same area and took faith around the same time. It is said that he was a relative of Toki Jōnin. Akimoto died on the seventeenth day of the ninth month, 1291, and his house later became Shūhon-ji temple. He was the recipient of Letter to Akimoto and other letters from Nichiren.