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Daishoin Temple: Japan’s 1,200-Year-Old Buddhist Treasure and Its Eternal Flame

Founded 806 AD (first year of Daidō era) Founder Monk Kukai (posthumously known as Kōbō-Daishi / 弘法大師) Buddhist school Shingon Buddhism (Omuro school branch) Location on island At the base of Mount Misen (tallest mountain on Miyajima) UNESCO World Heritage Part of Itsukushima Shrine World Heritage Area (since 1996) Other names Also called "Great Holy Temple"

Recent Fire (2026) Key Points

Category Details
Date of fire 20 May 2026 (burned until 21 May)
Building destroyed Reikado Hall (also called “Inextinguishable Flame Hall”)
Also destroyed A small wooden annex building next to the Reikado Hall
What was inside The “eternal flame” (Kiezu-no-hi) said to have burned for 1,200 years
Origin of the flame Lit by Kukai during a goma (fire) prayer ritual in 806 AD
Was the flame destroyed? No – the temple had moved a copy of the flame to another location
Was anyone hurt? No – no injuries reported
Current status Temple planning to rebuild the Reikado Hall
Previous fire The Reikado Hall was also destroyed by fire in 2005 and rebuilt in 2006

Miyajima Island Key Points

Category Details
Island name Miyajima (also Itsukushima) – “Shrine Island”
Location Seto Inland Sea, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

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