Monk-Imperial Prince Sonjo (尊助法親王)

Monk-Imperial Prince Sonjo (1217 - January 2, 1291) was a Monk-Imperial Prince during the middle of the Kamakura period. His father was Emperor Tsuchimikado. His mother was the daughter of hoin (the highest rank among Buddhist priests) Jinkei. He was the brother of Emperor Gosaga and others with different mothers. He was named as Shoren-in Temple, Ohara no miya.

He became a priest in 1232, and became Isshin ajari (monks in higher rank) in November 1234. He was announced as Imperial Prince in August 1252, and was assigned to Mudo-ji Temple Kengyo (supervisor of monks at Mudo-ji Temple). In March, 1259, he was assigned as the head priest of the Buddhist Tendai sect, and after that, was assigned as the head priest of the Buddhist Tendai sect for the following four times: from March 1259 to August 1263; from July 1267 to December 1268; from September 1284 to November 1286; from February to October 1290. He passed away in December, 1290 at the age of 75.

[Original Japanese]