Monuments and Tombstones │ Honzan Ryuchizan Daiun-in Temple

One of the distinctive features of Daiun-in is the presence of not only the grave monument for Oda Nobunaga and his son Nobutada, which played a role in its establishment, but also the graves of other historical figures and celebrities.

Cenotaph of Oda Nobunaga and His Son Nobutada

Daiun-in was established by Teian under the decree of Emperor Ogimachi. Within its grounds, there stands a stone pagoda commemorating Oda Nobunaga and his son Nobutada.

Cenotaph of Oda Nobunaga and His Son Nobutada

Tombstones of Teian and Successive Priests

Teian is enshrined at Minamidani Betsuin Kaizan-byo, which mourns for the founder of the temple. The tombstones of the successive priests are also arranged around the Kaizan-byo.

Tombstones of Teian and Successive Priests

Tombstone of Ishikawa Goemon

Ishikawa Goemon, who ravaged around Kyoto during the reign of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, was captured and executed as the head of bandits. In a public spectacle, he was taken through the streets on horseback to the execution site as a punishment. On his way, he passed by the then Daiun-in in Teramachi Shijo, where he received lecture from Teian. It is said that at that moment, Teian promised to build a tomb and offer prayers for him.

Tombstone of Ishikawa Goemon

Graveyard of the Shimazus

Shimazu Mochihisa, the founding lord of the Sadowara Clan in Hyuga Province, converted to the teachings of Teian during his time in Kyoto and became a dedicated financial supporter. As a gesture of his commitment, he annually donated one hundred koku of rice, equivalent to approximately 15 tons of rice. On his passing in Kyoto in 1610, he was buried at Daiun-in. After Shimazu Mochihisa’s death, four of his retainers sacrificed their lives in his honor, and their tombs are positioned around Shimazu Mochihisa’s tomb.

Graveyard of the Shimazus

Memorial Monument for the Deaths of Sadowara Retainers from the Boshin War

Tombs of Cultural Figures from Various Fields

Daiun-in, located at the heart of Kyoto, is said to have been a gathering place for numerous well-known cultural figures from the Edo Period to modern times. Cultural figures from different fields left behind numerous relics, and many of their tombs can also be found at Daiun-in.

Tombstone of Seita Ryusen

Tombstone of Ito Tanan

Tombstone of Nakamura Ichiou