The BWA or '' Fujinkai '' was founded in Japan in the early 20th century by Takeko Kujō ( 1887 – 1928 ) , a daughter of Koson Ohtani , the 21st '' monshu '' ( head abbot ) of the Nishi Hongwanji-ha . Takeko Kujo was in her early twenties at the time she founded the Fujinkai . She also founded Asoka Hospital , one of Japan 's first modern medical centers . She died in Tokyo , Japan after contracting an illness during her charitable work in the city 's slums following the Great Kanto earthquake . Soon , BWA chapters were established in every Jodo Shinshu temple in Japan , and later in the United States and other overseas areas as many Japanese began emigrating in the late 19th century and early 20th century . These local '' fujinkai '' provided spiritual , financial and community support to immigrant Japanese . The BWA in the United States is an auxiliary organization of the Buddhist Churches of America , the mainland United States branch of the Nishi Hongwanji-ha
Great Kanto earthquake
1923 Great Kantō earthquake
Buddhist Women's Association