Scene 17 The Komatsu-bara Ambush

St. Nichiren was invited to visit Yoshitaka Kudo of Amatsu (located in Chiba Prefecture). It was the evening of 11/11/1264 when he left Hanabusa (where he had met with Master Dozen) with an entourage of about ten followers. As his party entered a pine grove, they were suddenly attacked by archers followed by a large band of armed led by Kagenobu Tojo. Tojo had been infuriated by the first sermon delivered by the Saint. The ambush was savage and the monks were greatly outnumbered. Although Kudo soon arrived on the scene with two retainers, they too were soon overwhelmed. In the meantime Tojo, with his sword drawn and ready to strike. charged St. Nichiren, but his horse reared back on its hind legs, startled by the beads of a rosary held straight out in the Saint's hand. Tojo is said to have fallen, struck his head and been carted off on a stretcher. This attack was the second of the Saint's four great persecutions.