Emperor Toba
In 1207, Hōnen's critics at Kōfuku-ji persuaded Emperor Toba II to forbid Hōnen and his teachings after two of Imperial ladies-in-waiting converted to his practices. Hōnen and his followers, among them Shinran, were forced into exile and four of Hōnen's disciples were executed. Shinran was given a lay name, "Yoshizane Fujii", by the authorities but called himself "Gutoku" "Stubble-headed One" instead and moved to Echigo Province (today Niigata Prefecture).