Downtown Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Shinran Shonin

1173-1262

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 27, 2025

1. Shinran Shonin Marker

Inscription.
Founder of Jodo Shinshu — The true teaching of Pure Land Buddhism.
Calligraphy “Shinran Shonin” by Monshu Kosho Ohtani.

This statue depicts Shiren Shonin when he walked through the many remote provinces of Japan wearing straw sandals, carrying a balboo cane and contending with many hardships in propagating the teaching of the compassionate Amida Buddha.

In commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the birth of Shinran Shonin this statue donated by Seiichi Hirose of Japan.
Foundation for statue donated by Liju Sasajima of Los Angeles, March 18, 1973.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is March 18, 1973.

Location. 34° 2.918′ N, 118° 14.048′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. It is at the intersection of 1st Street and Vignes Street, on the left when traveling east on 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 815 1st St, Los Angeles CA 90012, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Bell of Dana (a few steps from this marker); The Bronze Statue of Shinran Shonin (within shouting distance of this marker); Atomic Cafe (approx. ¼ mile away); Little Tokyo (approx. ¼ mile away); Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (approx. 0.3 miles away); Home Is Little Tokyo Mural (approx. 0.3 miles away); El Aliso (approx. 0.3 miles away); Aoyama Tree (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Shinran Shonin Statue and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 27, 2025

2. Shinran Shonin Statue and Marker

Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 27, 2025

3. Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 28, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.