Kongobuji Temple Prabhutaratna Pagoda

JAPAN, Wakayama, Ito

The pagoda was built in 816 during the Heian period, when Master Kukai established Mount Koya as the headquarters of the Shingon school of Buddhism. This is the earliest example of the Japanese Prabhutaratna pagoda, unique in that it has two stories. Having been destroyed by fire, the current pagoda was rebuilt in 1937. It is approximately 48.5 m high. It was built using ferro-concrete upon a stone base. The first story is square with five bays on each side. The central three bays have doors, while the outer bays have mullioned windows. The domed roof of the first story extends upwards to the second story; the eaves on both stories are supported by bracket sets. The second story is surrounded by low balustrades. It has a square pyramidal roof and the spire consists of a square harmika, an inverted bowl, upturned lotus, stacked rings, flame, and a jewel.
Statues of Vairocana Buddha of the Womb Realm and the Four Buddhas of the Diamond Realm—Aksobha, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi—are enshrined within the first story. Each of the 16 columns within the hall has an image of a Bodhisattva. There are images of the Eight Patriarchs of Shingon Buddhism hanging on the walls. The interior is lavishly decorated and is an expression of Kukai’s Mandala of the Two Worlds.