, also called , is a Japanese Buddhist temple complex with many temples and statues on Mount Misen, the holy mountain on the island of Itsukushima, off the coast of Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan. It is the 14thtemple in the Chūgoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage and famous for the maple trees and their autumn colors. Including Mt.Misen, Daishō-in is within the World Heritage Area of Itsukushima Shrine.
The temple's Reikado Hall (霊火堂) housed a flame which is said to have been burning since its foundation in the The hall collapsed in a fire in 2026. The administrators of the temple stated they had "salvaged" the fire and would work to rebuild the hall.
History
According to tradition, Daishō-in was founded by the monk Kūkai, also known posthumously as , in 806CE, 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 , for his visit to Itsukushima Shrine. Repair work for the trail to Mount Misen was finished in 1905 through a donation of Itō Hirobumi. Heavy damage by 19thtyphoon on . Held a memorial service to congratulate the restoration of the damage on . The 14th Dalai Lama visited Itsukushima to celebrate the 1200th year of Daishō-in from 3 to . Martin Repp, H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama and the Japanese Buddhists, An Account and Analysis of Complicated Interactions, Japanese Religions Vol. 33 (1 & 2): 103-125 The Sacred Fire Hall of the temple was completely burned in a fire at around Japan Standard Time on 20 May 2026 ( 19May).
There are also many buildings, gates of the temple and statues of Kannon, Jūichimen Kannon, Fudō-myōō (Acala) and Seven Lucky Gods on and around Mt. Misen.
The temple was the administrator of the Itsukushima shrine before the Meiji Restoration forbade syncretism (Shinbutsu-shūgō) between Shinto and Buddhism in 1868 as part of the Shinbutsu bunri policy.Miyajima Misen Daiso-In Temple, Official Publication, https://www.galilei.ne.jp/daisyoin/
See also Kūkai Shingon Buddhism Kannon Acala Seven Lucky Gods Glossary of Japanese Buddhism
References
External links
Daisyō-in(in Japanese) Daisho-in page on the Miyajima Official Tourism Website