Carved by Nichiren Daishonin on October 12, 1279, the Dai-Gohonzon sits at the very heart of Nichiren Shōshū devotion. It isn’t just another scroll or statue; this mandala is regarded as the supreme embodiment of the Lotus Sutra itself, weaving together the identities of Buddha, the Dharma, and the faithful in an unbroken circle of life and law.

Nestled within Taisekiji—head temple of Nichiren Shōshū on the foothills of Mount Fuji—the Dai-Gohonzon is housed in the Hoandō (Treasure Hall). Layers of gold leaf cloak a sturdy wooden container, and a silk curtain shields the mandala from public view. Only the High Priest unrolls this sacred object during very special ceremonies, preserving its mystery and power. Pilgrims, having navigated a procession of incense and silent bows, pause before a closed screen, aware that reverence sometimes means embracing the unseen.

With the world buzzing over Japan’s recent reopening to travelers, more seekers are streaming into Shizuoka Prefecture, smartphones in hand yet mindful that some treasures can’t be captured in pixels. The Dai-Gohonzon remains one of those rare marvels—less a photo op than a spiritual heartland, reminding everyone that true insight often lies just beyond the veil.