It’s history
Sanboin, the sub-temple, is entered from the side of the Daigoji Temple reception desk. Sanboin was built in 1115 and served as the main temple where the head priest of Daigoji resided. The present facility was developed after Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s cherry blossom viewing in Daigo in 1598. The garden was basically designed by Hideyoshi and is a special historic site.
Most of the buildings in Sanboin are Important Cultural Properties. Omote-shoin is a National Treasure. The main hall, an Important Cultural Property, is usually closed to the public, and the seated statue of Maitreya Bosatsu (also an Important Cultural Property) here was made by Kaikei in the Kamakura period (1185-1333).
Buildings and garden
Beautiful garden. Sanboin is not allowed to take pictures inside the building.
The square stone (Fujito-ishi) on the opposite bank of the pond in the garden and the stones on either side of it are said to represent the three Amitabha images of the Pure Land of Paradise. Because of its history, the Fujito-ishi is said to be called “the stone owned by a heavenly sovereign”. It was originally located in the present-day Fujito-cho, Kurashiki City during the Genpei wars, brought to the present-day Kinkakuji Temple by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, moved to Ginkakuji Temple during Ashikaga Yoshimasa’s reign, given to Hosokawa Takakuni during Ashikaga Yoshiharu’s reign, moved to the Nijo Palace by Oda Nobunaga, and brought first to the Jurakudai Palace and then to Sanboin Temple by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The small shrine on top of the hill is said to be dedicated to Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Since the Tokugawa shogunate came to power later, they were reluctant to publicize Hideyoshi, who was associated with Sanboin, and enshrined him quietly in a small shrine.
When viewed from the building, from where the guests sit, the system is such that the Fujito-ishi can be seen in a straight line.
The Karamon gate was built in 1599 and is a national treasure. It is painted in black lacquer and is decorated on both sides with a chrysanthemum and 57 paulownia crests.
Nearby spots from Sanboin
Sanboin is located inside Daigoji Temple and admission tickets can be purchased at the same time.
You can also combine Kami-Daigo hiking.
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[…] temple ticket is divided into three areas: the temple complex area, the Reihokan area, and the Sanboin area, but we recommend that you visit all of […]