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
Rinzai Shū is a Zen sect introduced from Song China by Eisai Zenji. It is now divided into 14 branches, each with its own head temple.
| Branch | Head Temple | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Kenchōji-ha | Kenchōji | 8 Yamanuchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa |
| Engakuji-ha | Engakuji | 409 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa |
| Tenryūji-ha | Tenryūji | 68 Susukinobabamachi, Saga Tenryuji, Ukyo, Kyoto |
| Shōkokuji-ha | Shōkokuji | Imadegawa Karasuma-higashi-iru, Kamigyo, Kyoto |
| Kenninji-ha | Kenninji | 584 Komatsucho, Yamato-oji Shijo-sagaru, Higashiyama, Kyoto |
| Tōfukuji-ha | Tōfukuji | 778 Honmachi 15-chome, Higashiyama, Kyoto |
| Myōshinji-ha | Myōshinji | 1 Hanazono Myōshinjimachi, Ukyo, Kyoto |
| Nanzenji-ha | Nanzenji | Nanzenji Fukuchicho, Sakyo, Kyoto |
| Eigenji-ha | Eigenji | 41 Eigenjitakano-cho, Higashiomi, Shiga |
| Hōkōji-ha | Hōkōji | 1577-1 Okuyama, Inasa-cho, Kita, Hamamatsu |
| Kōgakuji-ha | Kōgakuji | 2026 Kamiose, Enzan, Kōshū, Yamanashi |
| Buddhōji-ha | Buddhōji | 2 Koyama, Kōzaka-cho, Mihara, Hiroshima |
| Kokutaiji-ha | Kokutaiji | 35 Sadazukacho, Takaoka, Toyama |
| Daitokuji-ha | Daitokuji | 53 Murasakino Daitokujimachi, Kita, Kyoto |
Kaimyō Features
Rinzai kaimyō use Zen-influenced kanji. Typical format: (In-gō) + Dōgō (2 chars) + Kaimyō proper (2 chars) + I-gō.
