Daihōon-ji, commonly referred to as Senbon Shakadō, is a Buddhist temple located in Kamigyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It is the head temple of the Chisan school of Shingon Buddhism. The temple was founded in 1227 by the monk Gishin (also known as Jōgyō).
The temple is historically significant for its Main Hall (Hondō), which is designated as a National Treasure of Japan. Completed in 1227 during the early Kamakura period, the hall is the oldest wooden structure in Kyoto that survived the Ōnin War (1467–1477), a conflict that resulted in the destruction of most of the city's architectural heritage. The building is noted for its architectural style, which incorporates elements of both traditional Japanese (Wayō) and Zen-influenced (Zenshūyō) designs.
Daihōon-ji is also known for its association with the legend of Okame. According to local history, Okame was the wife of the master carpenter in charge of constructing the Main Hall. When her husband made a critical measurement error, Okame suggested a structural solution that saved the project. To ensure her husband received the full credit for the achievement and to avoid scandal, she is said to have committed ritual suicide before the building's completion. A memorial and various representations of Okame, often depicted as a smiling woman (the "Mask of Gladness"), are located on the temple grounds.
The temple's collection includes several Important Cultural Properties, such as statues of the Ten Great Disciples of Buddha and a seated statue of Shaka Nyorai, the temple's primary object of worship. Annual events at the temple include the Daikon-taki (Radish Burning) ceremony held in December, which is believed to ward off paralysis and ill health.
