About Daiou-in Temple
大雄院とは
Daiou-in is a sub-temple of Myoshin-ji, the head temple of the largest school of Rinzai Zen, and one of the independent temples on its grounds. Spanning 120,000 square meters, Myoshin-ji is home to 46 temples, including Daiou-in. Founded in 1603, it has preserved the Zen teachings of Myoshin-ji Temple for over 420 years.Its buildings are designated as cultural properties by Kyoto Prefecture.
The Essence of Daiou-in Temple
Architecture and Garden
In a temple, the main hall is the most significant space.
The principal Buddha statue is enshrined here, and zazen meditation as well as various rituals are performed.
The main hall of Daiou-in consists of five rooms, each approximately 12 square meters (about 130 square feet), connected around the central Buddha statue.
The rooms are separated by paper sliding doors called ‘fusuma’.
To the south of the main hall, a beautiful moss-covered ‘karesansui’ dry landscape garden stretches out,
displaying the changing beauty of the seasons and bringing light into the quiet, dimly lit hall. The tranquil and solemn garden is essential for achieving mental unity in Zen.
Since Daiou-in is located within the grounds of Myoshin-ji, no modern buildings are constructed around it. The scenery of this garden has been passed down unchanged for over 400 years.
Cultural Properties
Due to its traditional Japanese architecture, the aesthetic quality of its spaces, and historical significance, nearly all of Daiou-in’s buildings are designated as cultural properties by Kyoto Prefecture.
Front Gate
Preserving its unchanged appearance for 400 years since its founding.
The entrance to the 'kuri'
The entrance to the 'kuri' living quarters contrasts with the main hall, which serves as the space for rituals.
BUDDHA STATUE
The main figure is 'Hokan Shakyamuni Nyorai.'
This statue is a rare depiction of the Buddha wearing a crown.
It retains the aura of the Buddha from his time as a prince of the Shakya clan, with a slightly youthful expression.
On either side of Shakyamuni, Manjushri Bodhisattva (on the left), who embodies wisdom and rides a lion, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (on the right), who embodies compassion and rides a white elephant, are positioned. This trio of figures is known as the Shakasanzon, or Shakyamuni triad.
A Work by Shibata Zeshin
72 Sliding Door Panels of Daiou-in's Main Hall
These painted sliding door panels were created about 180 years ago by Shibata Zeshin (1807-1891).
Shibata Zeshin was a lacquer artist, ‘Nihonga’ Japanese-style painter, and print artist, who was active from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period. With his exceptional artistic sense and unparalleled skill, Shibata Zeshin was recognized by the Imperial Household Agency and appointed as an 'Imperial Household Artist,' a position given to outstanding artists and craftsmen with both technical excellence and admirable character.
Many of Shibata Zeshin's works were lost in the great fires of Edo, and due to the popularity of his style among Westerners, many of his surviving works are now housed overseas. As a result, the works of Zeshin that remain in Japan are incredibly valuable.
Portrait of Chinese General Guo Ziyi
"Chigusa no Hana no Maru"
Fusuma Paintings
(Paintings of a Thousand Varieties of
Circular Flower Motifs on Japanese Sliding Doors)
Based on Shibata Zeshin's sketches of circular flower motifs, Yasukawa Nyofu painted the 'Chigusa' (thousand varieties) flower motifs on fusuma sliding door panels.
The flower motifs, created with the distinctive sensitivity of the Japanese, are both traditional and delicate, featuring soft colors and subtle, playful details hidden throughout the design.
Spirit of Zen
Throughout their entire existence, from birth to death, each person lives only one life—their own.No one in this world can live someone else's life.
The question of ‘how to live one's own life’ is a central theme in Zen Buddhism.
How we perceive and feel about this world…
In order to make our own world shine and fill it with warmth,
the way we perceive this world -and ultimately our heart itself-
must be clear, compassionate, and harmonious.
A harmonious heart is one that is impartial, not fixated, and free from attachment.
This does not mean a heart that is unshakable or rigid.
Rather, it is a state of being flexible and open, able to accept anything with ease, to see and hear without resistance, and to experience both joy and sadness with a genuine heart.
And while being open, the most important thing is the ability to let go of what you have once accepted, whenever you choose.
Letting go means not being attached.
Without attachment, you can observe things calmly and impartially.
However, everyone has things that are important to them or things they cannot accept, and they live their lives amidst various circumstances.
Therefore, not being attached is not something that can be achieved overnight.
For this reason, Zen practice begins with "zazen," sitting in meditation, where the posture and body are adjusted first.
By doing so, the breath becomes regulated, and the mind is brought into balance.
Rather than trying to immediately attain a harmonious heart,
first take a step toward it by straightening your posture.
That in itself is already something precious and wonderful.
We hope that the time spent at Daiou-in Zen Temple will serve as a small step toward enriching your life.
The History of Daiou-in Temple
In 1600, the Battle of Sekigahara took place, a crucial and significant battle in Japanese history that would shape the course of the nation's future.
The battle was fought between Ishida Mitsunari and Tokugawa Ieyasu, with the latter emerging victorious. Ieyasu put an end to the warring states period and became the great ‘shogun’ military ruler who founded the Tokugawa shogunate.
At this time, the side a samurai chose to support would determine their fate.
The Ishiko family, who founded Daiou-in, sided with Ishida Mitsunari and, after the defeat, were forced to flee.
However, a woman named O-Kame, who was the wife of a member of the Ishiko family, caught the eye of Tokugawa Ieyasu. She divorced her husband and became his second wife. Afterward, O-Kame had a child with Tokugawa Ieyasu, making the Ishiko family half-siblings to the Tokugawa family. The Ishiko family served the Tokugawa clan loyally and became a prominent ‘daimyo’ feudal lord family.
While the samurai who supported Ishida Mitsunari fell into decline, the Ishiko family continued to thrive and prosper in the years that followed.
Message
from the Head Priest
Hello, and welcome to Japan and Kyoto.
Kyoto is a place where Japan's traditional beauty has been well-preserved, although little by little, some traditions are being lost.
Temples have maintained the traditional Japanese space, lifestyle, and culture well, and among them, Zen temples continue practices that have remained unchanged for centuries.
Zen practice is a way of life. It is a strict discipline, but its true purpose is to bring happiness to people.
We hope that those who visit Daiou-in and form a connection with us will find happiness. We look forward to meeting you.