Daishō-in

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About Daishō-in

Daisho-in is Miyajima’s most important Buddhist temple, at the foot of Mount Misen, about a 10-minute walk from the Itsukushima Shrine. It follows the Shingon school, and tradition says it was founded in the early 9th century by Kūkai, the monk who practiced on the mountain. Until the end of the 19th century, the temple managed the shrine’s rituals.

The entrance stairway has a handrail with metal prayer cylinders engraved with sutras; spinning them is traditionally equivalent to reciting the texts. Along the way, hundreds of small stone statues of the Buddha’s disciples, the rakan, show different expressions, and many wear knitted hats made by the faithful.

The grounds rise in terraces up the slope, with several halls, gardens, a waterfall and maples. In the Henjokutsu cave, dark and lit by lanterns, are images of the 88 temples of the Shikoku pilgrimage, and tradition says that passing through the cave brings the same merit as completing the whole pilgrimage.

The main hall houses an image of Fudō Myō-ō, and one of the halls preserves an image linked to Kūkai. The temple charges no admission, and the area remains peaceful even when the shrine is crowded. The Daisho-in trail to Mount Misen starts here. In April and November the temple usually holds a fire-walking ceremony open to visitors, with monks chanting sutras around the fire.