Northern

Daishogun Hachi Shrine Hotoku-den

Highlight
Many of the statues in the collection were made at the zenith of belief in “Daishogun” in the mid-Heian and Kamakura periods

A 3-D mandala featuring the gods of the stars

As the capital was being founded in Heian Kyoto, Emperor Kanmu ordered a shrine to be built in the northwest corner of the inner palace grounds (Tenmon Gate), to protect the city against the evil that people believed came from that direction. At the time of construction, this shrine’s reputation grew as a place to pray for protection against the calamities of direction when moving home or traveling and, thus, believers in this Taoist theory came here to pray to the enshrined mandala of “Daishogun”, a god of the stars presiding over direction in the Yin Yang occult.
In the Hotoku-den hall there are more than 100 statues of gods (80 of these are Important Cultural Properties) creating a three-dimensional star mandala, or chart of a celestial universe, which overwhelms in form, scale and rarity (it is extremely unusual in Japan to see worship of the stars in the Shinto belief). Up on the 2nd floor, there are numerous precious exhibits concerning Yin Yang and astronomy that tie in with the work of Seimei Abe (921~1005), who, as an astrologer, was called upon to advise in matters of government.

photoDaishogun deity images

Daishogun deity images

photoHotoku-den (treasure house)

Hotoku-den (treasure house)

photoDaishogun deity image (armored statue)

Daishogun deity image (armored statue)

Question

What is the shrine crest of Daishogun Hachi Shrine?

Address Ichijo-dori Onmae-nishi-iru, Kamigyo-ku
TEL 075-461-0694
FAX 075-461-0684
URL http://www.daishogun.or.jp
Hours 10:00~17:00 (entry by 16:00) for 1/5~5/5, 1/11~5/11 only (please contact for details about other opening times)
Closed On ceremonial days, 31/12~7/1
Adm ¥500
Access A 3-min walk from Kitano Tenmangu-mae Stop of City Bus/A 3-min walk from Kitano-Hakubaicho Stop of City Bus

Facilities near by

photo:Orinasukan Handmade Fabrics Museum

Orinasukan Handmade Fabrics Museum

A townhouse in the heart of Nishijin telling the story of handmade fabrics

photo:The Greek Roman Museum

The Greek Roman Museum

Evoking thoughts of ancient peoples

photo:The Garden of Nishimura Villa

The Garden of Nishimura Villa

A splendid garden assembled some 800 years ago

photo:Kawashima Textile Museum

Kawashima Textile Museum

A tour that brings textiles to life

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