May 26, 2014 - 1 min read

Taiyu-in Reibyō Mausoleum in Detail

A closer look at the tomb of Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu

By Dale A. Brown

Community writer

The main entrance to the Haiden, or worship hall.

Suiban-sha of Taiyuin, an ornately decorated sacred fountain where visitors cleanse their hands and mouth before entering the temple.

Yashamon Gate of Taiyu-in Reibyō Mausoleum.

Another view of Suiban-sha of Taiyuin.

This is the Shoro, or Bell Tower. One of the two towers that flank the Yashamon Gate.

Entering the Yashamon Gate, the third gate of Taiyu-in houses four statues of Yasha demons, each colored to represent the four winds (North, South, East, and West) who stand guard. The gate is also known as Botanmon gate because of the display of peony in the carvings throughout the gate.

Entering the Yashamon Gate.

Entering the Yashamon Gate.

Entering the Yashamon Gate, one of the guardian Yasha demons.

Entering the Yashamon Gate, one of the guardian Yasha demons.

Entering the Yashamon Gate, one of the guardian Yasha demons.

Entering the Yashamon Gate, one of the guardian Yasha demons.

The ceiling of the Yashamon gate, which highlights the peony theme that the gate is known for.

The inner doors of the Yashamon gate.

The main entrance to the Haiden, or worship hall.

This is the exterior of the passage way between the Haiden (worship hall) and the Honden (inner shrine).

This is the Honden (inner shrine).

Close up of the Honden.

This is the Ryugu-mon gate, that leads to the sacred resting place, which is closed to the public.

This is the Sukibei, the latticework fence that encloses the Haiden and Honden of the outer shrine.

The Taiyu-in Reibyō is the shrine and mausoleum of Iemitsu, 3rd Tokugawa Shogun. Just a few minutes walk from the main Tosho-gu shrine in Nikko, the final resting place of Lord Tokugawa Iemitsu is an amazing example of Nikko-bori (Nikko wood carving style). Construction of the shrine was started in 1652. Today Taiyu-in is administered by the Rinnō-ji Temple and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Nikko. Although smaller than its neighboring Tosho-gō shrine, Taiyu-in is in no way lessened in its beauty. Taiyu-in is a stunning monument to the third lord of the Tokugawa dynasty. Take a closer look at the elaborate details, carvings, and color.

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Dale A. Brown

By Dale A. Brown

Community writer

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