Kunteki-o-sho

(1623-1670)

   The name of a Buddhist monk and student of shushi Confucianism whose spirit is enshrined as a kami in the Kunteki-jinja (formerly the Horogashima jinja) in Kochi prefecture. He is believed to have reached enlightenment (satori) at the age of 22 and is credited with many miracles. Despite being a Buddhist monk he was regarded by the Meiji authorities as a 'Shinto' hero for his bold stand against the cruel exploitation and oppression of local people by the daimyo of Yamauchi. The last Buddhist priest of the shrine became its guji in 1871.