Mini monks and Buddhas of Daishō-in

Daishō-in is a 14th century Buddhist temple in Japan which was founded by Kūkai who is one of the most famous monks in Japan. The temple is located on a holy mountain called ‘Mount Misen’ on the island of Itsukushima in Hiroshima Bay.

You may now this island as Miyajima (the ‘Shrine Island’) which is most famous for the Itsukushima Shrine which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, I’d like to share something that makes Daishō-in just as interesting and which I think you could easily miss if you were to go there…

Daishō-in has the hundreds of miniature monks and Buddhas hidden in and around the temple gardens which are a little usual. The statues come in all shapes and sizes, some adult and some child-like. They also come in all manner of positions and doing different things. The funny thing is that visitors have adorned some with woolly hats, bibs, and beads.

Here are some of photographs – if you make it out to Daishō-in temple, happy hunting!