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Taiyuuin Mausoleum

Mausoleum of Three Shogunates

Built in the 17th century, Taiyuuin is the tomb of Iemitsu Tokugawa, the third shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, and is part of Nikko Rinnoji Temple. The gold and black buildings in Taiyuuin have lavish interior and exterior decorations, and the Main Hall and Worship Hall have been selected as national treasures of Japan.

Taiyuuin Mausoleum 大猷院霊廟 (Taiyu-in Reibyo) was built in 1653 as a mausoleum for Iemitsu Tokugawa, the grandson of Ieyasu and the third shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. Taiyuuin is part of Nikko Rinnoji Temple, together with Sanbutsudo and Daigomado.

It is said that Taiyuuin was built next to Nikko Toshogu Shrine at the request of Tokugawa Iemitsu, and was modeled after the building of Toshogu Shrine. In order not to overtake his grandfather, the buildings here are decorated in gold and black, with lavish and grand interiors and exteriors.

Manywhere Trivia:
I must say that the black and gold color scheme is a fashion beyond the times and is still cool hundreds of years later.

The 22 buildings of Taiyuuin Mausoleum complex are all on the World Heritage List, and the Main Hall and Worship Hall, which are national treasures of Japan in particular, are unforgettable in their splendor and luxury. Another feature here in Taiyuuin is the 315 Lanterns in various kinds and shapes.

From the first gate at the entrance, there are seven gates with their own characteristics and distinctive features, such as Niomon Gate 仁王門, Nitenmon 二天門, Yashamon Gate 夜叉門. The last one, Koukamon Gate 皇嘉門, leads to the area of Tokugawa Iemitsu’s tomb, which is also known as the Dragon Palace Gate because of its Japanese dragon palace style architecture.