Soya Kyōshin ［曾谷教信］ (1224–1291): Also known as the lay priest Soya or Kyōshin-bō. A follower of Nichiren. His full name and title were Soya Jirō Hyōe-no-jō Kyōshin. A samurai who lived in Soya of Katsushika District in Shimōsa Province, Japan. He converted to Nichiren’s teaching around 1260 and became a leading believer in the area with Toki Jōnin and Ōta Jōmyō. In 1271 he became a lay priest, and Nichiren gave him the Buddhist name Hōren Nichirai. Soya Kyōshin received eight writings (extant) from Nichiren in which important teachings are outlined; their content would seem to indicate that he was well educated. He built two temples, Ankoku-ji and Hōren-ji.