Rev. Eishun Hiroshi Shigetoshi

Rev. Eishun Hiroshi Shigetoshi was born on March 19, 1943 in Misaki, Okayama, Japan and passed away peacefully on June 30, 2022 at 79. He is survived by his wife Fumi, his three children Gregory (Jamie), Derrick (Jamie), and Elizabeth, his grandson Drake, his sister Sanae Numano, and several nephews, nieces, and cousins. Eishun was preceded in death by his parents Iwami and Chiyono, and his brother Katsumi.

From ages 12-25, Eishun mastered Shingon Buddhism ministry, flower arrangement, and tea ceremonies as a monk and priest on Mount Koya in Wakayama, Japan. In 1968, he came to Los Angeles, CA to teach and lead services at Koyasan Buddhist Temple. It was here he met and married Fumi. In 1970, he moved to Sacramento, CA as head minister, and led the establishment of the Northern California Koyasan Temple. In 1977, he quickly learned to cook from his father-in-law, and with his wife, he transitioned to co-owner and head chef of a series of thriving Japanese restaurants: Fumy's Sukiyaki, Fumy's Teriyaki, and Fumy's Teriyaki Bowl. He retired from the restaurant business in 2003 and returned to ministry until he retired again in 2017. He was a meticulous, hardworking man, dedicated to both providing for his family and practicing Shingon Buddhism.

His family will miss his modest mannerisms, like how he exclaimed "Itadakimasu!" before every large meal, "Gochisousama!" when it was time to clean up, and "Yoisho!" when he got up from his chair; how he stuffed his pockets with an excessive stash of hard candies, soy sauce packets, and wads of napkins; and lastly, how he wore a freshly ironed suit or button up to every public outing and then immediately changed into his happi and sweatpants once he was home.

He loved reading, gardening, drinking coffee, playing casino slot machines, and watching Japanese news, dramas, sumo wrestling, and the Olympics on TV.