Society Meet one of Japan's first foreign-born abbesses

thomas · 1 Feb 2026

Jessie Shaku Hokai, originally from Switzerland, serves as the head priest (住職 jūshoku) of Kōunji Temple (光運寺) in Fukui Prefecture and is one of the first known foreign-born women to lead a traditional Japanese Buddhist temple. She assumed the position after her predecessor's death, when no successor could be found, and has since become known locally for maintaining the temple as an active community space. Having moved to Japan decades earlier to pursue martial arts before entering Buddhist training, she now focuses much of her work on supporting elderly residents and organising events that keep the temple connected to everyday community life.

NHK World takes a closer look at her life in the episode "A Temple's New Light of Hope."

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/2087167/

There is a 30-minute interview with her on YouTube. Sorry, it's in German.

The First Woman to Break a Millenia-old Japanese TraditionFor over thousands of years, Japan's sacred temple roles were closed to women – especially to those from outside the country.Until now.In this 26-minute interview, you'll meet the first non-Japanese woman ever to become a temple priestess and caretaker in Japan. She shares how she overcame cultural, linguistic, and social barriers to enter a world shaped by strict hierarchy and tradition.The first part of the video tells her personal story – raw, moving, and full of unexpected turns. In the second part, she shares what others can learn from her experience:How to navigate resistance. How to stay true to your vision. And how to create space where no space existed before.This is more than a personal success story – it's a call to rethink what's possible.

dracuella · 2 Feb 2026

I have to admit, I think I would have given up way before her. If people constantly tell me it's impossible, as a foreign woman in a country as traditional as Japan? Yeah, I admire she had the strength not to be discouraged and actually went through with it.

thomas · 3 Feb 2026

Yes, all these myths have been crumbling over the past two decades. We have "foreign-born" Shinto priests, Buddhist abbots and abbesses, taxi, bus and truck drivers, nurses and caregivers. Other professions, such as doctors, law enforcement, etc., which are largely off-limits to foreigners, will follow, no matter what Takaichi, Onoda, and other pig-headed traditionalists will say after their landslide victory next Sunday.

It was heartwarming to see Jessie in the video. She has found her role in life, acting as a catalyst for her small rural community. Others will follow in her footsteps.

Society Meet one of Japan's first foreign-born abbesses

thomas

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dracuella

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thomas

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