seniority) from Nichiji (日慈) to finally Nikken (日顕) in deference to a more-senior priest who was father of the current high priest, Nichinyo. On 4 December 2005, Abe announced his intention to step down as high priest before the end of the year. He performed the ceremony of transferral of the Heritage of the Law on 12 December 2005, in which he appointed Nichinyo Hayase (1935—) his successor. He officially retired on 15 December 2005, four days before his 83rd birthday, after 26 years as high priest. Sixty-eighth High Priest Nichinyo Shōnin ascended to the high priest's seat at a ceremony on 16 December 2005. Abe had a wife, Masako Abe, and a son born in 1944, Shinsho Abe. Abe's tenure as high priest was marked by a mixture of progress and controversy. He officiated several milestone celebrations, including: 1981 —The 700th anniversary of Nichiren's death. 1982 — The 650th anniversaries of the passing of Taiseki-ji's founder Nikkō and his successor Nichimoku 1990 — The 700th anniversary of Taiseki-ji's founding 2004 — The 750th anniversary of Nichiren's proclamation of his teachings In addition, Abe oversaw the compilation and publication of several important works, including compilations of previous high priests' letters, treatises, and sermons, and official biographies of Nichiren and his successors. 1981 — Nichiren Daishōnin Shōden 1982 — Nikkō Shōnin, Nichimoku Shōnin Shōden 1999 — Revision of 1978 Nichiren Shōshū Yōgi (a comprehensive overview of Nichiren Shoshu doctrine) 1994 — Heisei Shimpen Nichiren Daishōnin Gosho, a new compilation of Nichiren Daishonin's Gosho based on thorough historical and documentary surveys. Abe also initiated and oversaw the publication of the following important Taisekiji publications: The annotated edition of 26th High Priest Nichikan's doctrinally definitive work Rokkanshō ("The six volume writings" in 1996) A revised edition of the Lotus Sutra with its prologue and epilogue sutras (Shimpen Myōhōrengekyō Narabini Kaiketsu in 1998) The compilation of Nichikan's Gosho Mondan in 2000 High Priest Nichikan's exegesis on 14 of Nichiren's most important writings (Nichikan Shōnin Gosho Mondan, 2001) The publication of Juryōhon Seppō in 2003, a compilation of sermons he delivered over a span of 23 years on the “Life Span of the Thus Come One” (Juryō) chapter of the Lotus Sutra. In December 1980, Abe's succession to the position of high priest was challenged by a group of Nichiren Shoshu priests belonging to the Shoshinkai after he excommunicated five of them for disobeying repeated