later, and the existence of Itsukushima-jinja is confirmed by early 9th century by ancient Japanese texts. The Nihon Shoki confirms the sacredness of these Miyajama structures during the Heian Period (794-1184). Daishō-in Temple Daishō-in is a historic Japanese temple on Mount Misen, the holy mountain on the island. It is the 14th temple in the Chūgoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage and famous for the maple trees and their autumn colors. It is also called "Suishō-ji". As the headquarters of the Omuro branch of Shingon Buddhism, it is the most important temple of Miyajima. The temple was the administrator of the Itsukushima shrine before Meiji Restoration forbade (Shinbutsu bunri) syncretism (Shinbutsu-shūgō) between Shinto and Buddhism in 1868. Senjokaku (Toyokuni Shrine) Senjokaku (lit. "pavilion of 1000 mats") is the largest structure at Miyajima Island as the name implies. Toyotomi Hideyoshi started construction of Senjokaku as a Buddhist library in which the chanting of Senbu-kyo sutras could be held for fallen soldiers. Hideyoshi died in 1598 and the building was never fully completed. Originally, Amitabha Buddha and two Buddhist saints, Ānanda and Mahākāśyapa, were enshrined in the structure until the Meiji reformation. when the structure was converted into a Shinto shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Numerous votive picture tablets that had been hanging in the Itsukushima Shrine buildings until the Meiji era, have been hung on the walls inside the hall. Five-storied Pagoda (Gojunoto) The nearby Five-storied Pagoda constructed in 1407 (thus predating Senjokaku) enshrined Yakushi Nyorai Zazo, the Buddha of Medicine said to have been made by Kobo Daishi himself, accompanied by Fugen Bosatsu (Mercy Buddha) and Monju Bosatsu (Wisdom Buddha). The three images were moved to the Daiganji Temple during the Meiji reformation. Gallery See also List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments Itsukushima Shrine World Heritage Site Setonaikai National Park Three Views of Japan Itsukushima - two Imperial Japanese Navy ships named after the site Taira no Kiyomori Miyao Castle Mount Misen Momijidani Parkk*Daishō-in Marine Plaza Miyajima Miyajima, Hiroshima Tourism in Japan Battle of Miyajima References External links Guide Miyajima town guide Firewalking festival Miyajima Tourist attractions in Hiroshima Prefecture Special Places of Scenic Beauty Islands of Hiroshima Prefecture Special Historic Sites Islands of the Seto Inland Sea Geiyo Islands Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima