Temple
Daitai-ji
Daitai-ji, a prominent Yakushi pilgrimage site in the Nanki region,
was established approximately 1,200 years ago by Saichō, the founder of Mount Hiei.
Situated in Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Daitai-ji lies near the iconic Nachi Falls.
Listen to the
history
Origin
The temple was founded 1200 years ago by Saicho, the founder of Mount Hiei, and stands along the Kumano Kodo - an ancient pilgrimage trail.
According to the temple's origin story, Saicho carved a Yakushi Nyorai deity from a willow tree and enshrined it to stop a giant snake from tormenting the local people.
Today, the temple is known by many people as one of the most sacred places in the Nanki region.
Buddha statue
The temple has a collection of Buddhist statues from the Heian, Kamakura, Muromachi, and Edo periods.
The main deity, Yakushi Nyorai, was inscribed in 1156 and painted with gold and mud - one of the most advanced methods of painting at the time. It has been recognized as an important cultural property by the Japanese government.
Each Buddhist statue portrays scenes of the certain era and the prosperity of the past.
Features
Daitai-ji was originally established as a Tendai sect temple, housing numerous Buddhist statues. However, during the Edo period, when the Kishu region became part of the Tokugawa Gosanke, it converted to the Rinzai sect.
Typically, Zen temples are renowned for their ink paintings and gardens, while it is uncommon for them to house a large number of Buddhist statues. Conversely, esoteric Buddhist temples rarely feature extensive collections of ink paintings or gardens.
Daitai-ji is a rare temple that combines the characteristics of both traditions, allowing visitors to admire its many Buddhist statues, appreciate ink paintings, and even experience Zen meditation.
Nature
Daitai-ji stands on the mid-slope of an independent hill formed by the Ota River, which originates from the same Nachi primeval forest as the UNESCO World Heritage Nachi Falls. With few houses or artificial lights nearby, the night sky on a clear day is illuminated by countless stars.
From the forest comes the symphony of life, adding to the serene atmosphere. Surrounded by century-old trees, Daitai-ji is deeply intertwined with the natural beauty of Nachikatsuura Town, an essential part of its identity.
