Daishō-in

Niōmon Gate

Kannon-dō Hall

Maniden Hall

Daishō-in temple Jizō statues

Daishō-in or Daisyō-in (大聖院) is a historic Japanese temple on Mount Misen, the holy mountain on the island of Itsukushima, off the coast of Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan. It is the 14th temple in the Chūgoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage and famous for the maple trees and their autumn colors. It is also called "Suishō-ji" (水精寺). Including Mt. Misen, Daishō-in is within the World Heritage Area of Itsukushima Shrine.

In this temple there is a flame which is said to have been burning since its foundation, for more than 1200 years.^[1][2]

History

• Daishō-in was founded by the monk Kūkai, also known posthumously as Kōbō-Daishi (弘法大師), in the year 806, the 1st year of the Daidō era.

Kūkai was one of the most famous monks in Japan and the founder of Shingon Buddhism.

Made head temple of one of denomination of Shingon Buddhism and the oldest temple on Itsukushima.

• By an Imperial order of Emperor Toba, it was the place to pray for the peace and security of the nation.
• Emperor Meiji stayed there on July 31, 1885 for his visit to Itsukushima Shrine.
• Repair work for the trail to Mt. Misen was finished in 1905.

It was done by the donation of Itō Hirobumi.

• Heavy damage by 19th typhoon on September 27, 1991.
• Held a memorial service to congratulate the restoration of the damage on October 10, 1998.
• The 14th Dalai Lama visited Itsukushima to celebrate the 1200th-year of Daishō-in from 3 to 8 November 2006.

There are also many buildings, gates of the temple and many statues of Kannon, Jūichimen Kannon, Fudō-myōō (Acala) and Seven Lucky Gods on and around Mt. Misen.

See also

• Itsukushima
• Kūkai
• Shingon Buddhism
• Kannon
• Chūgoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage
• Mt. Misen
• Acala
• Seven Lucky Gods
• For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.

References

1. Rowthorn, Chris (2009). Lonely Planet Japan. Lonely Planet. p. 470. ISBN 978-1-74179-042-9. Retrieved 02/07/2010. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
2. Nihonsankei. "Miyajima". The three most scenic spots in Japan. Retrieved 2007-06-25.

External links

• Daisyō-in(in Japanese)

34°17′31″N 132°19′07″E / 34.29195°N 132.318475°ECoordinates: 34°17′31″N 132°19′07″E / 34.29195°N 132.318475°E