This is the first time I've heard the story of "lifesaving botamochi":
On the day of his execution, when he was taken towards the place of execution, he [Nichiren] passed by the Jo-eiji Temple.Here, a woman from his sect offered him botamochi, cookies made from rice flour and sweet azuki bean covered with sesame.
During his execution, the executioner's sword was apparently stricken by a lightning bolt. The terrified executioners stopped, considering this was a divine intervention and the witnesses said that the botamochi was what saved Nichiren's life.
Since then, the Temple is known as Botamochi-dera and, on every September 12th, a celebration for Nichiren takes place and the visitors receive "lifesaving botamochi" as charm against bad luck.
See lots of photos of the temple here.
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Hi, MROaks & all -I didn't get to see this temple when we visited Kamakura. We did stop and see the temple now occupying the site of Shijo Kingyo's residence (built in the 1800s). I don't take this as a miracle myself, but it does help personalize Nichiren's life to learn all of the little bits and pieces of stories and legends surrounding his life. There is the story of the white monkey that woke Nichiren and saved him from the mob burning his hut at Matsubagayatsu, and so many more.I remember hearing a story of a white dog that helped Nichiren when he was all alone in his early days at Mt. Minobu. I believe this story was told by one of the priests at Kuon-ji when I went for Rev. Myokei's graduation. Unfortunately I didn't write it down, and now I can't remember the details of that story.
...the power of baked goods.