Tachikawaryu
TACHIKAW?
Tachikawary? is the name of a subschool of Shingon Buddhism, one of the two Japanese schools of tantric Buddhism. Probably founded by Ninkan, who was active in the early twelfth century, Tachikawary? seems to have continued into the seventeenth century. The epithets often associated with it, "perverse teaching" or "perverse school," imply that this subschool taught a set of doctrines and rituals that were strongly sexualized. Tachikawary? was denounced by Y?kai (1345–1416) and other representatives of the Buddhist orthodoxy during the Middle Ages, and most of the texts associated with the school are now lost. However, examination of the few extant texts that can be traced back to Tachikawary? reveals that its teachings were not very different from those of the other Shingon subschools. In addition, a close reading of Shinj?'s Juh?y?jin sh? (Circumspect Acceptance of the Dharma, 1268), the earliest text that is commonly believed to be a denunciatory account of Tachikawary? practices, reveals that the sexual rituals described are not said to pertain to Tachikawary?. Shinj? speaks simply of "these rituals," without naming them.
It is possible to distinguish at least two levels of sexual doctrines and rituals in medieval Japanese religion. First, in every lineage of what is usually called kenmitsu Buddhism, sexual elements were widely spread and practiced, at least in a metaphorical way. Tachikawary? may well be counted as one of these lineages, although there were certainly more purist tendencies in each lineage. Second, the rituals described by Shinj? may have been taught and practiced only in a particular segment of this general movement. The rituals imply not only sexual intercourse, but also ritual use of a human skull.
See also:Exoteric-Esoteric (Kenmitsu) Buddhism in Japan; Japan; Kamakura Buddhism, Japan; Shingon Buddhism, Japan; Shint? (Honji Suijaku) and Buddhism
Bibliography
Kock, Stephen. "The Dissemination of the Tachikawa-ry? and the Problem of Orthodox and Heretic Teaching in Shingon Buddhism." Studies in Indian Philosophy and Buddhism, Tokyo University, 7 (2000): 69–83.
Sanford, James. "The Abominable Tachikawa Skull Ritual." Monumenta Nipponica 46, no. 1 (1991): 1–20.
Nobumi Iyanaga