DAIGO-JI TEMPLE
The time-transcending beauty of nature and craftsmanship
Construction of this massive five-story pagoda (National Treasure) was made by Emperor Suzaku to pray for the repose of Emperor Daigo, and it was completed in 951. It is the oldest existing building in Kyoto Prefecture, and its interior wall paintings are said to be the origin of Japanese esoteric Buddhist paintings.
Getting off the subway at Daigo Station in the southeastern part of the city, and walking up a hilly path for about a dozen minutes and suddenly the stunning pine trees extending towards the blue sky will welcome you to Daigo-ji Temple, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1994.
After entering the main gate, step by step the noise gets less and less and all you can hear are the birds humming and the brook gurgling. This place is very comforting and relaxing, a retreat from the busyness of urban life.
In 874, the Buddhist monk, Shobo, aka Rigen Daishi, discovered a well of spiritual water on the top of the Kami-Daigo (the upper part of Daigo) mountain and Daigo-ji Temple began its existence as a hermitage. After a while, pious supports of Emperor Daigo (897-930), Suzaku (930-946), and Murakami (946-967) contributed to the development of the Daigo-ji Temple complex. Consequently, a plan for the creation of the Shimo-Daigo (the lower part of Daigo) was carried out. With its precinct encompassing the entire mountain of Daigo, it is one of the largest temple complexes in Kyoto.
After entering the main gate on the west side, you’ll find yourself in the Shimo-Daigo. Daigo-ji Temple went through many tragedies over the centuries, and especially the fire caused by the Onin and Bunmei wars in Kyoto destroyed the entire Shimo-Daigo complex except for the Five-storied Pagoda built in 951. It is at least fortunate that even today we can see one of the oldest buildings in this prefecture.
The mossy trail invites visitors to the vermilioncolored Benten-do Hall. It has various faces, depending on the four seasons, but on a snowy winter day, the contrast of red and white makes all the visitors gasp at the breathtaking beauty of this scene. At the building housing the Buddha statue, there are Yakushi Sanzon, Senju Kannon and much more. Looking at the drapes of clothing and the forms of the hands, it would be so hard to believe that those statues are made of wood. The meticulous craftsmanship from a thousand year ago is just awe-inspiring.
For monks, emperors, aristocracies, samurai, and local people — Daigo-ji Temple has been a place of prayer and inherited historical and cultural assets. Visit Daigo-ji Temple and experience the world of Japanese religion and art.
Open: 9:00-17:00 (until 16:30 after 1st Sun. of Dec. until end of Feb.); ¥1,000; Access: Take the subway Tozai Line and get off at Daigo Sta., and the temple is about 15 minutes on foot from the station.
The gate of Sanbo-in Temple. It is said that this gate was opened only when receiving envoys from the Imperial Court. In 2010, it was restored to its original magnificent appearance – the entire gate was coated in black lacquer with four large crests of chrysanthemum and paulownia adorned with gold leaf.