Nakaoki, the lay priest of ［中興入道］ (n.d.) ( Nakaoki-nyūdō): A follower of Nichiren who lived at Nakaoki on Sado Island in Japan. His father, the lay priest Nakaoki no Jirō, who had status in the community and the confidence of the people in that area and who was a believer in the Pure Land (Jōdo) school, apparently embraced Nichiren’s teachings when they met during the latter’s exile on Sado. The young Nakaoki and his wife became Nichiren’s followers shortly afterward, in 1272. Even after Nichiren was pardoned and went to live at Minobu in 1274, Nakaoki continued to send him letters and sought his guidance.