Nisshō ［日昭］ (1221–1323): One of the six senior priests designated by Nichiren. He was Nichiren’s first convert among the priesthood. A native of Shimōsa Province in Japan, he began his study of Buddhism at a temple of the Tendai school around 1235. Later he continued his study of the Tendai doctrine at Mount Hiei. Hearing that Nichiren had proclaimed a new teaching, Nisshō went to visit him at Matsubagayatsu in Kamakura and became his disciple in the eleventh month of 1253. He devoted himself to propagation mainly in Kamakura. After the memorial service at Minobu on the hundredth day following Nichiren’s death, Nisshō returned to Kamakura where he built Hokke-ji temple at a place called Hamado. Because of governmental pressures on Nichiren’s followers, however, he eventually pronounced himself to be a priest of the Tendai school and turned against Nikkō, Nichiren’s designated successor.