The Faces of History
Kobo Daishi (Kukai)
In 806 AD, the founder of Shingon Buddhism returned from China and chose Mt. Misen for his 100-day ascetic training. He is the man who lit the Eternal Flame that still burns today.
Taira no Kiyomori
The most powerful man in 12th-century Japan. He transformed Miyajima from a small local shrine into the grand, floating architectural masterpiece we see today, believing the island was his clan's guardian.
Island Inventions
Products born from necessity and devotion.
The Rice Scoop (Shakushi)
Invented in the late 18th century by a monk named Seishin. To help islanders who had no farming land, he taught them to carve scoops shaped like the lute held by Goddess Benzaiten. This became the island’s primary industry.
It does not affect the flavor of the rice and symbolizes 'scooping up' victory.
The Momiji Mold
In 1906, a local confectioner was asked by an inn owner to create a sweet that reflected the beauty of the maple leaves in Momijidani. He invented the specific bronze mold that gives Momiji Manju its iconic shape.
The first 'themed' souvenir cake in Japan, sparking a nationwide trend.
The O-Shakushi (Great Scoop)
Completed in 1983 after nearly three years of labor, this is the world's largest wooden rice scoop. It measures 7.7 meters in length and weighs 2.5 tons.
Significance: It was crafted from a single 270-year-old Zelkova tree to preserve the traditional carving techniques for future generations. It currently resides in the Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street.