How to Use for Genealogy Research
Japanese Buddhist temples maintained “kakochō” (death registers) under the Edo-period terauke (danka) system, recording births, deaths, and marriages for each affiliated household. Kakochō are the most important genealogical sources predating the koseki system, often containing ancestor information from the mid-Edo period (17th–19th centuries).
Key genealogy uses:
- Identify the sect and location of the danna-dera (family temple) to which ancestors were affiliated
- Request access to or copies of the kakochō (at the temple’s discretion)
- Estimate an ancestor’s era and status from their kaimyō (posthumous Buddhist name)
Structure of a typical kaimyō (posthumous name):
- In-gō (〜院): Prestigious title given to high-status individuals
- Dōgō (2 characters): Reflects relationship with the teacher/sect
- Kaimyō proper (2 characters): Core posthumous name
- I-gō (〜koji/daishi/shinji/shinnyo, etc.): Indicates gender and social status
Sect Overview
Sōtō Shū is a major Zen sect introduced from China by Dōgen Zenji. It has two head temples: Eiheiji (Yoshida-gun, Fukui) and Sōjiji (Tsurumi, Yokohama). With approximately 14,700 temples, it has the largest number of temples of any Japanese Buddhist sect.
Kaimyō (Posthumous Name) Features
Typical format: In-gō (〜-in) + Dōgō (2 chars) + Kaimyō proper (2 chars) + I-gō (koji/daishi/shinji/shinnyo, etc.). Zen-influenced kanji are common.
Head Temple Locations
- Eiheiji: 5-15 Shihi, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui
- Sōjiji: 2-1-1 Tsurumi, Tsurumi Ward, Yokohama
