Naritasan and Danjuro Ichikawa

A succession of actors named Danjuro Ichikawa whose house name is 'Naritaya' has a deep relationship with Naritasan for many generations. The first Danjuro Ichikawa was born in 1660 during the Edo period. His father, Juzo Horikoshi was from Hataya in Narita city. Even now at the graveyard in the Toko-ji temple in Hataya, there is Danjuro the first's tomb which was built by Danjuro the second.

Danjuro the first had difficulty having a child so he prayed to the Narita Fudo-myoo god and soon after had Danjuro the second. After that his Kabuki themes revolved around the spirituality of the Narita Fudo-myoo god. His play, 'Tsuwamonno-konngen-soga' became a hit. His successors, also named, Danjuro were also deeply religious in the Fudo-myoo god and performed a play called 'Risho-ki' about how people can be blessed by the Fudo-myoo god. Thanks to the success of their plays, the Fudo-myoo god became well-known among the people of the Edo period. Danjuro the seventh was also a believer and he donated one thousand Ryo (monetary unit of the Edo period) to build Gaku-do hall.

Edo (Tokyo) peoples interest in Naritasan was stimulated by Kabuki performances and Naritasan monks displayed the Fudo-myoo god at Fukagawa-eidaiji temple. Eventually worship at Naritasan became popular with Edo (Tokyo) people through. At first, worship at Naritasan was only popular with high society and wealthy merchants, however, between 1804 and 1829 it became more popular with ordinary people because it was enjoyable four day return hike through beautiful scenery.