Founded in 1656, Daishoin is a temple of the Rinzai School of Japanese Zen Buddhism. It is one of the family temples of the Mori, lords of the Choshu domain (modern-day Yamaguchi Prefecture).
The Mori established Daishoin to honor Mori Hidenari (1595–1651), the head of the family during the Mori’s relocation to Hagi. The Mori family adopted a Chinese system of burial called shobokuso that mandates separation of the graves of the odd- and even-numbered generations. The even-numbered generations of Mori lords and their families are buried here at Daishoin. Over 600 stone lanterns donated by vassals to show their continued loyalty fill the graveyard. The grave of the first lord, Mori Hidenari, was moved here from Hagi Castle, and the rest of the odd-numbered lords are buried at Tokoji, another Mori clan temple on the other side of Hagi.
Daishoin’s main hall is nationally designated as an Important Cultural Property. The hall has been restored to ensure the preservation of its many artifacts, as well as the simple yet distinct form of Zen Buddhist architecture which contains them.