Daishō-in Temple, Buddhist temple in Miyajima, Hatsukaichi, Japan.
Daishō-in is a Shingon temple complex on the slope of Mount Misen, entered through a wooden Niō gate with a curved grey-tiled roof and carved figures under the eaves. Its main hall is dark brown wood on a low stone base, with greenish-blue roof tiles, lattice sliding doors and a narrow veranda reached by a single central step. Curved brackets carry the eaves, and stone steps with prayer wheels lead up to the two-storey Mani Hall.
The temple was founded in 806 by Buddhist monk Kūkai and became a major religious center for the region. It maintained strong ties with imperial families throughout the centuries that followed.
Daishō-in is the 14th stop on the Chūgoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, the first of the 24 Sanyō Flower Temples and the 87th of the Hiroshima New Shikoku 88 Sites. At the Mani-den, a hall to the three guardian deities, visitors clap twice in Shinto style rather than Buddhist fashion. The temple is also counted among Japan's three great yakuyoke kaiun masters for warding off misfortune.
The temple is about 15 minutes from the ferry terminal or 5 minutes from nearby Itsukushima Shrine by foot. The site requires climbing stairs to navigate between the various sections and upper levels.
Prayer wheels line the entrance steps of the temple, which visitors can turn while ascending the stairs. Each rotation of a wheel is said to bring the same spiritual benefit as reading a sacred text.
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