Visitor Information
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Places to see
Daito (大塔) / The Great Stupa
The construction of Daito was started by Kobo Daishi in 816 and was brought to completion in 887 by Shinzen Daitoku. This massive structure represents the ideals of Shingon Buddhism and is known as the ‘Fundamental Great Stupa.’ In Japan, this building was the first pagoda built in the “tahoutou” style.
Inside Daito there are several Buddhist pictures and statues. The eight patriarchs of Esoteric Buddhism are painted on the inside walls of the building. The main enshrined image is a large golden statue of Dainichi-Nyorai of the Womb Realm. Dainichi-Nyorai is surrounded by four Buddhas from the Diamond Realm. There are also 16 Bodhisattvas (Bosatsu), one painted on each pillar, that encircle the 5 statues. The 16 Bodhisattvas were painted by Domoto Insho. All of these works combine together to represent an image of a three-dimensional mandala.
Another striking work of art is the pair of fierce statues located behind the main enshrined image. These two statues, named Tamonten and Jikokuten respectively, are the originals that were created in the Edo period. These statues used to reside in the main entrance to Danjo Garan, known as the Middle Gate. These statues were the only things that could be saved from an unfortunate fire that struck the Middle Gate in 1843 *.
* The Middle Gate is scheduled to be rebuilt in 2016.
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