“Chisho Daishi”
Born in Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture (present-day) in 814. His father was from the Wake clan, and his mother was a niece of Kukai. At the age of 15, he went to Mt. Hiei and became a disciple of Gishin (778–833). At the age of 40, he went to Tang China in 853, learned Tendai studies and esoteric Buddhism in Mt. Tendai and Chang’an. Later, he disseminated what he had studied after returning to Japan. He stored the scriptures brought back from Tang China in the Toin Hall and took office as the first chief administrator. He then established a foundation to promote Miidera Temple to the Jimon branch main temple later by appointing Miidera Temple as a Tendai sect branch temple. He was appointed as the fifth Tendai head priest in 868 and dedicated himself to the prosperity of Buddhism for an impressive 23 years. He passed away on October 29, 891.
“mausoleum”
It is called gobyo in Japanese, an honorific language for byo, which means a place to enshrine ancestors’ souls.
“Emperor Seiwa”
Emperor Seiwa (850–880) was the emperor who reigned in the early Heian period. The fourth prince of Emperor Montoku. His mother was Fujiwara no Akirakeiko (Fujiwara no Meishi). His name was Korehito, and he was also called Mizunoo-tei. His maternal grandfather acted as a sessho (a regent who acts on behalf of either a child Emperor or an empress regnant) due to the emperor’s young age. He led a devoted Buddhist life and shaved his head in 879. His posthumous Buddhist name was Soshin (Reigned 858–876)
“denpokanjo”
An important religious ritual which is conducted when a disciple mastered esoteric Buddhist teachings and succeeds the position of Ajari (Acharya), a senior teacher. It derives from the coronations of ancient Indian kings and princes, in which water was poured on their heads.
“Toyotomi Hideyoshi”
A warlord in the Azuchi-Momoyama period. First, he served to Oda Nobunaga, and as soon as Nobunaga died due to the Honnoji Incident in 1582, he declared himself as the successor, defeated his enemies and unified the country. From 1583, Hideyoshi began the construction of Osaka Castle, the castle tower of which has a lavish five-story structure on the outside and an eight-story structure inside that was suitable for the supreme ruler. While he was called Hotaiko, luxurious Momoyama culture, including tea ceremonies and paintings of the Kano school, flourished.
Relations between Miidera Temple and Hideyoshi were generally favorable; however, in 1595, his later years, he suddenly imposed an order to Miidera Temple to confiscate all of the assets belonging to the temple. After Hideyoshi’s death in August 1598, Miidera Temple was restored by his legal wife, Kita no Mandokoro.
“confiscation of assets”
Kessho literally means a land lacking its owner. During the Kamakura and Muromachi periods (1185–1358), a land became ownerless when the shogunate confiscated it due to its owner’s offense. A land without a new owner. It also means confiscation of other assets including land.
“hogyo-zukuri”
A type of roof where each corner of the walls of the squared building gathers in the center of the roof. Also called a tented roof.
“cypress bark roofing”
A roof made by the method where cypress bark is fixed by bamboo nails.
“standing statue of the Kifudo”
One of the three great Acalas (Fudo Myo-o). Also called the Yellow Fudo Myo-o. Chisho Daishi Enchin (814–891), the restorer of Miidera Temple, felt the presence of an Acala during his training in Mt. Hiei, and he drew its figure. This original figure was designated as a National Treasure, as it is the oldest Buddhist painting of only a single Fudo Myo-o. The painting and the statue that was made in the Kamakura period (1185–1333) based on the painting are both rarely seen in public. The Kifudo protected Chisho Daishi throughout his life and was widely worshipped by various sects due to its miraculous efficacy. Therefore, Miidera Temple became one of the central temples worshipping Fudo Myo-o.
Cultural Property of Japan
Toin Daishido Hall
