The Dai Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of the Essential Teachings, commonly known as the Dai Gohonzon (Japanese: 大 御 本 尊 The Supreme (Great) Gohonzon or Honmon—Kaidan—no—Dai—Gohonzon, Japanese: 本 門 戒 壇 の 大 御 本 尊) is a venerated Mandala image inscribed with both Sanskrit and Chinese logographs on a median log trunk of Japanese camphorwood. The image is worshipped in Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, which claims to possess within both the Dharma teachings and Tamashi of Nichiren as inscribed by him on wood, then carved by his artisan disciple Izumi Ajari Nippo. The High Priests of Nichiren Shoshu copy and transcribe their own rendition of the image, which is loaned to the followers of the sect. Due to its accorded sacrosanct nature, the mandala can only be audienced to registered Hokkeko believers. The image was first explicitly mentioned in the last will and testament of Nikko Shonin for his designated successor Nichimoku, annually displayed every April 6 or 7 during the Goreiho O-mushibarai Daiho-e ceremony (English: The Airing of Sacred Treasures; 御霊宝虫払大法会) at the Head Temple. Buildings at Taiseki-ji Head Temple in Shizuoka, Japan that have housed the Dai Gohonzon are the Shimonobo (1290), the Mutsubo (1332), the Mieido (1680), Gohozo (1717), the Hoanden (1955), the Shohondo (1978), and the Hoando (2002). Etymology The Japanese meanings note: Dai — "Great" or "Supreme" — (大) Go — "Sacred" — (御) Hon—zon — "Object of Worship" — (本尊) Description The Dai Gohonzon mandala is a half-log wooden trunk, composed of fragrant Japanese camphorwood believed to be inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin and rendered into wood by Nippo Shonin. The image measures approximately 56.6 inches by 25.6 inches. It is coated in black Urushi lacquer with gilded characters composed of grounded 24-karat gold dust. The bottom portion features the great Zo-han personal signature seal of Nichiren. It features a semi-rounded backing cage and rippled textured surface. Carved deeply on the image are names of Buddhas, Buddhist and Indian gods along with mystical creatures representing the "Treasure Tower" of the Lotus Sutra which is also claimed to possess and imbue the immortal soul and legacy of Nichiren himself. Furthermore, it also claims to possess the internal enlightenment of Nichiren revealed from a mysterious timeless past, termed as “Nai-Sho.” The venerated mandala has the following inscriptions on the right lower portion of the image: "Honmon-no-Kaidan" (本門戒壇) "Ganshu Ya-shiro Kuni-shige" (願主弥四郎国重) "Hokke-shura Keihaku" (法華講衆等敬白) This