Kibe Koji (木辺孝慈)
Koji KIBE (1881-1969) was a priest in the Shinshu-kibe school of Jodo Shinshu (the True Pure Land Sect of Buddhism).
He was the second son of Priest Koson OTANI, the 21st head priest of Nishi-Hongan-ji Temple, and the younger brother of the 22nd Priest Kozui OTANI. One of his younger sisters was the singer Takeko KUJO.
As there was no successor in the Shinshu-kibe school at the time, he entered the head temple, Kinshoku-ji Temple at the age of 17 and succeeded to the position of 20th Head Priest. He received lectures in Yuishiki doctrine from Priest Join SAEKI of Horyu-ji Temple. He was a man of superior wisdom and virtue, and he was highly respected. In 1940 he became Chairman of the Japan Buddhist Federation.