Three-Story Pagoda 三重塔
Official explanation
Important Cultural Property
The pagoda in front of the Daihondo Great Main Hall was built in 1712. It is 25 m tall, and in it are enshrined the Gochi-Nyorai, or the Five Great Buddhas. These celestial Buddhas represent the five all-pervading wisdoms of existence and are central to Shingon Buddhism. The pagoda was restored to its original appearance in 1983. A unique feature is the carved and decorated panels under the roof eaves.
Read the full explanation
Traditionally Buddhist pagodas were built as memorials for important saints, although now they are mostly thought of as enshrining Buddhist statues. The Five Buddhas of Wisdom, with Dainichi Nyorai at the center, are housed inside the pagoda. Sixteen Rakan, Buddhist saints said to have attained Nirvana, are carved in relief on the inner walls.
Built in 1712, the pagoda is 25 m tall and is listed as an Important Cultural Property. Three-dimensional carvings of dragons, kirin (auspicious mythical hoofed creatures) and baku (mythological chimera said to devour bad dreams) decorate the beams holding up the roof of each story. These mythical beasts were said to appear in times of peace, and thus collectively they represent a prayer for peace. The panels of clouds and water carved out of large panels of wood, which are under the eaves of the pagoda, are a very unusual feature.
The lacquer and polychrome decoration were restored between 1981 and 1983 to its original splendor, based on documents dated 1803.
出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.
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