Daichoji Temple 大頂寺

Official explanation

Daichoji is a Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhist temple that was built in 1606 for the Kyogoku family when they took control of nearby Miyazu Castle. The domain had been awarded to them for joining the Tokugawa forces in the decisive Battle of Sekigahara (1600). The temple was soon moved to its current location overlooking Miyazu Bay, and it was the family temple for every Miyazu Castle daimyo thereafter.

The longest ruling family to control Miyazu were the Honjo, who were daimyo there for seven generations. Their power derived from their connection with Keishoin (1627–1705), who, although born into a greengrocer family in Kyoto, had been adopted by the Honjo and later became a consort of third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604–1651). Keishoin’s family rose to prominence when her son, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi (1646–1709), became the fifth Tokugawa shogun. Due to Daichoji’s ties to the Honjo family, the temple inherited the Buddhist image (nenjibutsu) that Keishoin regularly prayed to during her time at Edo Castle. It is exhibited in a special room with other objects memorializing the Honjo ancestors.

Read the full explanation

The temple buildings have been renovated but remain true to their original appearance. The principal object of worship is an Amida Buddha statue enshrined in the main hall. In the adjoining room there are memorial tablets for six generations of Tokugawa shogun. Various artworks, including a scroll in the calligraphy of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, and Honjo family heirlooms, including clothing and weaponry, are also on display.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.