[1][2][3] Taiseki-ji was founded in 1290 by Nikkō Shōnin, one of Nichiren Daishonin's senior disciples, on a land parcel donated by the pious believer Daigyo Sonrei, commonly known as Nanjo Tokimitsu (1259–1332).

[4][5] The Head Temple is the home of the Dai Gohonzon, Nichiren Shoshu's object of worship, which draws pilgrim believers from various countries.

The name derives from an alternative reading of the kanji for Ōishi (大石), Tai (Big) - Seki (Stone), and the character Ji (寺), temple.

In Nichiren Shoshu ritual practices, this refers to the ceremonial audience with the Dai Gohonzon officiated by the High Priest granted to Hokkeko believers who have personally requested to participate, which is oftentimes the main purpose of a pilgrimage visit to the Head Temple.

The volition of free will, confirmation of registered membership and an offertory fee is part of the protocol to enter the Hoando building to participate in the service.

[20][21][22] The following significant buildings are listed for their historical and architectural value:[citation needed] The Sanmon (written 三門, sometimes 山門) gate is Taiseki-ji's "main front door" and has been designated as a Shizuoka prefectural cultural asset.

It was built in 1717 with financial assistance from Lady Hiroko Konoe (also known as “Tennei-in”), the daughter of Imperial Princess Tsuneko and wife of sixth Shōgun Tokugawa Ienobu.

[citation needed] The Kyakuden (客殿 "Reception Hall") is one of the central structures where the majority of ceremonies are held, including Ushitora Gongyo by each successive High Priest every morning.

[24] The Kyakuden was rebuilt as the Dai-Kyakuden (大客殿 "Grand Reception Hall"), with the assistance of the Soka Gakkai, a modern-style building inaugurated April 1964.

The current, classical structure was erected in 1632 with donations from the Lady Manhime Ogasawara (Also known as Kyōdai-in), who was the wife of Lord Hachisuka Yoshishige of the Tokushima Castle.

[citation needed] A decorative Stupa is erected nearby the Mieido to commemorate the donations of Lady Manhime Ogasawara remains present to this day.

The Hōandō (奉安堂) Enshrinement Hall, built in 2002, houses the Dai Gohonzon of the High Sanctuary of the Essential Teaching, the supreme object of worship in Nichiren Shōshū.

[29][30] The Hōandō is built in the style of a Kura storehouse to signify that the Nichiren Shoshu faith has not yet taken hold as the primary religion of the world's people.

It possesses the original Gosho documents of Nichiren conversing with the Buddhist deity Hachiman, as well as a personal letter given to Lord Nanjo Tokimitsu while he was alive.

[citation needed] Completed on 12 June 1749 with the assistance of the Japanese Edo government, this religious pagoda was built with donations of 5,000 gold Ryō given by the daughter of Imperial Princess Tsuneko.

[citation needed] The Daikōdō ("English: Grand Auditorium") was donated by Soka Gakkai, with construction began in December 1956 and completed on 1 March 1958.

It houses a so-called “Mannen-Kugo” aesthetic-style design which was originally dated and inscribed by Nichiren himself in December 1274 and later co-signed by the Yoshihama Myohonji Temple located in Kyonan, Chiba prefecture.

A wooden transcription image of this Gohonzon was carved and signed by Taisekiji priest-sculptor named “Eritsu Hiki Bhikkhu” (Claimed to be Mr. Takeshi Itamoto) in January 1687 (Jōkyō year IV) assumingly in commemoration for the new incoming 30th High Priest Nitchu Shonin.

Upon the completion of this grand auditorium in 1958, the 65th High Priest Nichijun Shonin decided to enshrine this wooden Gohonzon within this building where it remains today.

Religious professor Daniel A. Métraux claims that the Soka Gakkai placed particular importance on the building of the Shohondo, based on interpretations of doctrine not shared by the Nichiren Shoshu sect as a whole, and therefore controversy over its status arose at its construction.

[32] The Shōhondō was inaugurated by the Soka Gakkai who claimed it as the "True High Sanctuary", Kaidan, which was a title disputed by conservative groups within the sect including the Myoshinko (now known as Kenshōkai) lay organisation, and the Nichiren Shoshu Priesthood.

[36] An estimated grand total of ¥35,536,000,000 was raised: The building was demolished in 1998, the official reason given by Nichiren Shoshu for the demolition was the discovery of rust on the pillars within the temple.

Terence Riley, former chief curator of architecture and design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York opined that the planned demolition would be a "regrettable finale" to a century that has "witnessed so much loss".