The ‘Tokugawa Shogun Family Bodhiji Jodozan Daijuji Temple Digital Art Night 2025’, produced by HITOHATA,INC., was held at Daijuji Temple (Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture) from 17 (Fri) to 19 (Sun) January 2025. (Organised by Okazaki City Night Time Economy Promotion Council).

At Daijuji Temple, the family temple of the Matsudaira and Tokugawa shoguns, the room between the sliding doors and the hall of honor tiles of the restored Daihōjō barrier paintings by Reizei Tamekyo in the inner part of the main hall were illuminated with fantastic night-time light, and the 16 paintings of the ‘Ita-e bokuiro Sugitoe’ and 6 paintings of the ‘Kobojō Sugitoe’, designated Important Cultural Property and not shown to the public for over 40 years, were displayed along with 49 paintings of the Daihōjō barrier paintings. The night-time special viewing was held to recreate the world of the Sugitoe paintings through projection mapping, utilising high-resolution digital data for 22 paintings for the first time.

In addition, projection mapping images were projected onto the magnificent architecture of the Sanmon Gate, a tangible cultural property designated by Aichi Prefecture, using motifs from a number of cultural properties, including the Daihojo barrier paintings, an important cultural property of which Daijuiji Temple is proud, and the precincts of the temple, including the Taiho-to, an important cultural property, were lit up.

In addition to the special night-time viewing and projection mapping, the event was held as an event where visitors could enjoy the culture and history of Daijuji Temple with all five senses, including the lighting up of the precincts of the temple, including the Important Cultural Property Taiho-to, the special ‘Lantern Offering’ in the main hall and the eating area where visitors could experience Okazaki City and Daijuji's unique food culture such as ‘Haccho miso grilled rice balls’ and ‘sea bream tempura’. In addition, mini rabbit soup was served to the first 100 visitors on all days of the event.

This event was subsidised by the Agency for Cultural Affairs under the 2024 ‘Subsidy for Cultural Resource Utilisation Projects (Promotion of the Use of Attractive Cultural Properties in Various Areas of Japan)’.

Outline of the event

[Name] Tokugawa Shoguns' family temple Jodozan Daijuji Temple Digital Art Night 2025 Special night-time viewing of the main hall of the Daihojo and the hall of Buddhist tablets

[Dates] 17 (Fri) - 19 (Sun) January 2025 17:30 - 21:00

[Venue] Daijuji Temple (5-1 Aza Hiromoto, Kamoda-cho, Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture)

[Contents, fees, etc.]

＜Special night-time viewing of the main hall of the Daihojo and the Hall of Buddhist tablets＞

The sliding door room of the restored barrier paintings of the Daihojo by Reizei Tamekyo and the hall of honor tiles in the inner part of the main hall will be decorated with fantastic night-time light, and for the first time high-resolution digital data of 22 paintings, including 16 Ita-e Koshoku Sugitoe and 6 Kohojo Sugitoe, which have been designated as Important Cultural Properties and have not been exhibited for more than 40 years, will be used. The night-time special viewings were held using high-resolution digital data and projection mapping to recreate the world of the Sugitoe paintings.

In addition, a special night-time audio guide provided commentary, and a fantastical candlelight tribute was also held in the main hall.

Opening hours: 17 (Fri) - 19 (Sun) Jan 2025, 17:30 - 21:00 (last admission at 20:30)

Place: Main hall, Daihojo and Saijodo (indoor) of Daijuiji Temple

Fee: Adults (high school students and above) 800 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 500 yen / Pre-school children free

Lantern offering fee: 1,000 yen.

*No advance application required.

*The ‘Touka Daito’ is an offering of a candle with a wish written on it.

[Other contents and fees of the ‘Tokugawa Shoguns’ Family Temple Jodozan Daijuji Temple Digital Art Night 2025’.]

＜Projection mapping of the gate of the temple, a tangible cultural property designated by Aichi Prefecture, and lighting up of the important cultural property Taiho Tower. Projection mapping images featuring many cultural properties, including the Daibojo barrier paintings, an important cultural property of Taikiji Temple, will be projected onto the magnificent architecture of the temple gate, a tangible cultural property designated by Aichi Prefecture. In addition, the precincts of the temple, including the important cultural asset Dahojoto, are illuminated.

Time: 17 (Fri) - 19 (Sun) January 2025, 17:30-21:00.

Venue: Daijuji Temple gate, Tahotou Pagoda and precincts (outdoors)

Fee: Free admission, no advance application required.

*The projection mapping was a continuous projection of approximately 7 minutes of content with an intermission of approximately 3 minutes.

＜Ieyasu-ko Hometown Gourmet Food and Drink Area＞

This is a food and beverage area where visitors can experience the unique culinary culture of Okazaki City and Daijuiji Temple, including ‘Hatcho miso grilled rice balls’ and ‘sea bream tempura’ associated with the Tokugawa family.

Mini rabbit soup was served to the first 100 visitors on all event days.

Time: 17 (Fri) - 19 (Sun) Jan 2025 17:30 - 21:00 *Close when sold out.

Place: Space next to the main hall of Daijuji Temple (outdoors)

＜Premium tour ‘Kyoku Daijuji’ - private viewing of precious cultural assets with food favoured by Lord Ieyasu and fascinating digital art.

This is a premium tour that includes a lunch of ‘Ieyasu Gozen’, a guided tour of Okazaki Castle and Daijuji Temple, and a private viewing of the special night-time viewing before it opens.

Tour dates: 17 (Fri) - 19 (Sun) Jan 2025.

*Guided tours by Okazaki History Guides on 17 (Fri) and 19 (Sun) Jan, and by the Great Ieyasu Lord ‘Aoi’ Busyoutai (Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu) on 18 (Sat) Jan.

Duration: 12.30-19.30 hrs.

Capacity: 16 persons per session (minimum number of participants: 4).

Fee: Advance booking required.

Okazaki Historical Traveller Plan: Friday 17 and Sunday 19 January, 14,800 yen (incl. tax)

Great Ieyasu ‘Aoi’ Warriors Plan (Prince Tokugawa Ieyasu) Saturday 18 Jan. 16,800 yen (incl. tax)

*Option (Upgrade Plan: limited special viewing of cultural properties in the storage room) ¥5,000 (incl. tax)

[Organiser] Okazaki City Night Time Economy Promotion Council.

[Planning and production] HITOHATA,INC.

[Supporting] Okazaki City

[Cooperation] Daijuji, Okazaki City Tourist Association, TV Aichi, Meitetsu Kanko Service, Okazaki Gourmet Enhancement Association

Official Photos