A fire destroyed the Reikado Hall of Daishoin Temple in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan, on May 20, 2024 [2].
The loss of the structure represents a significant blow to Japan's cultural heritage, as the hall protected a sacred eternal flame. This flame was believed to have burned continuously for more than 1,000 years [1].
The blaze occurred in Western Japan at the Daishoin Temple complex [1]. The fire gutted the building that served as the home for the unquenchable flame [2]. Reports said the sacred flame was safely removed before the fire spread through the structure [2].
There are varying reports regarding the exact age of the site. Some sources said the temple building was more than 1,000 years old [1]. Other reports said the structure was 1,200 years old [2].
Local authorities and temple officials have not yet released a formal cause for the ignition of the blaze. The Reikado Hall is a central feature of the temple's spiritual landscape, a loss that affects both the local community and visiting pilgrims.
Efforts to secure the site followed the destruction of the hall. While the physical building was lost, the preservation of the eternal flame ensures that the spiritual lineage of the site remains intact despite the architectural damage.
“A fire destroyed the Reikado Hall of Daishoin Temple in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan.”
The destruction of the Reikado Hall highlights the ongoing vulnerability of Japan's ancient wooden architectural heritage to fire. While the physical loss of a 1,200-year-old structure is irreplaceable, the successful rescue of the sacred flame preserves the intangible cultural asset and the continuity of the temple's religious practice.
