A Princely Temple's Reception Hall
The Myohoin Temple Daishoin (Great Shoin) (妙法院大書院, Myohoin oshoin) is a shoin reception hall of 1619 at Myohoin in Myohoin-maegawa-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, and it was designated an Important Cultural Property on April 17, 1914. The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as 5 ken by 6 ken, a single storey under a hip-and-gable roof of wooden shingles.
According to the Kyoto City Tourism Association, the Daishoin is said to be a former palace building granted by Tofukumon-in, consort of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, and its walls and sliding doors are painted by the Kano school.
Why the Daishoin Matters
The Daishoin is valuable as an early Edo-period reception hall of a monzeki temple in which the building and its interior decoration survive together. Myohoin was headed by imperial princes until the end of the Edo period, according to the tourism association, and the Daishoin expresses the standing of a temple tied to the imperial house.
The Agency dates it to 1619, the same year as the entrance hall, placing both among the buildings put up after the temple moved to its present site in 1614. The tourism association notes that the Kano school wall and door paintings show the opulent character of the Momoyama period.
What to Look For
Outside, notice the hip-and-gable roof covered in kokera shingles. Thin overlapping boards give it a texture quite unlike the tiled kuri nearby and lend the hall the lighter look of a shoin.
When the interior is open, look for the Kano school wall paintings and sliding-door paintings: Momoyama-style splendour set within a building said to have come from Tofukumon-in's palace.
Visiting the Daishoin
According to the Kyoto City Tourism Association, the Daishoin is normally closed and opens only for special viewings. The Satsukie festival on May 14 each year includes free viewing of cultural properties, but events may change while the kuri is under renovation until 2027.
There are periods when the grounds cannot be entered, so check with the temple before visiting. Access and contact details are on the Myohoin Temple page.
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Q&A
- When was the Myohoin Temple Daishoin built?
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to 1619. It is said to be a former palace building granted by Tofukumon-in, consort of Emperor Go-Mizunoo.
- When was the Myohoin Temple Daishoin designated?
- It was designated an Important Cultural Property on April 17, 1914.
- What are the size and form of the Myohoin Temple Daishoin?
- It measures 5 ken by 6 ken, a single storey under a hip-and-gable roof of wooden shingles.
- Who painted the Myohoin Temple Daishoin's walls and doors?
- According to the Kyoto City Tourism Association, the paintings are by the Kano school.
- Can visitors see the Myohoin Temple Daishoin?
- It is normally closed but may open for special viewings or the May 14 Satsukie festival; events may change during the kuri renovation.
Basic Information
| Name | Myohoin Temple Daishoin (Great Shoin) (妙法院大書院) |
|---|---|
| Location | 447 Myohoin-maegawa-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1914/4/17 (Taisho 3) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 5 ken by 6 ken, single storey, hip-and-gable roof, wooden shingles |
| Owner | Myohoin |
| Public Access | Normally closed (open for special viewings) |
References
- 妙法院大書院 (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1749
- 妙法院庫裏 (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1751
- 妙法院 (Kyoto City Tourism Association)
- https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single01.php?category_id=7&tourism_id=472
Last verified: 2026.10.03
Last verified: 2026.10.03
