Daishoji (Kyoto)

About Daishoji

Daishoji (大聖寺) is a Rinzai Zen convent of imperial rank on Karasuma-dori in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, whose nine buildings and walls, from the late Edo palace hall, front gate and south earthen wall to the Taisho and Showa main hall, entrance hall, Zangetsutei tea house, corridor, high wall and east earthen wall, were registered as Registered Tangible Cultural Property structures on January 26, 2011. It is also known as Otera Gosho, the "temple palace" (Kamigyo Ward Office).

According to Kamigyo Ward Office, the temple began when the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu built the Okamatsu-dono residence for the nun Muso Enni, which became a temple after his death. It also carries on the tradition of Keiaiji, founded by Mugai Nyodai; after moving several times because of war, it returned to the Okamatsu-dono site in 1697.

An Imperial Convent's Palace and Grounds

The Japan Tourism Agency's commentary describes Daishoji as a Rinzai convent known for its imperial ties, which became a residence for imperial princesses who took vows, and where women of the court continued to live through the 19th century.

At the centre of the grounds, facing south, the Miyagoten palace hall preserves the form of an early modern imperial convent residence. The main hall of 1942 is an abbot's hall with six rooms; the entrance hall east of the palace has a large carriage porch with a cusped gable; and the Zangetsutei to the west, of 1938, is regarded as a fine modern tea house. The grounds are enclosed by the front gate, earthen walls and a high wall, the gate imposing enough for the leading imperial convent (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The main hall, the Miyagoten and the Zangetsutei were registered as models of design, and the other six as contributing to the historic landscape (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting Daishoji

According to the Japan Tourism Agency commentary, Daishoji remains an active convent and is closed to the public except for occasional special exhibitions of the dolls that belonged to princesses who entered the temple. From Karasuma-dori and the lane to the south, you can see the front gate and earthen walls. The address is 109-1 Goshohachiman-cho, Karasuma-dori Kamidachiuri-sagaru, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto.