Horyuji Temple Five-Story Pagoda

JAPAN, Nara, Ikoma

The pagoda is the oldest wooden pagoda in Japan and was built during the Asuka period (538–645) by Prince Shotoku in memory of his father. Its appearance and structure are both heavily influenced by Chinese Tang dynasty architecture. It was listed as a National Treasure in 1951.
The pagoda has an overall height of 34.1 m and stands upon a square base. The central pillar is 32.1 m high. Each story except the first is made up of three-by-three bays with doors in the central bays and mullioned windows in the bays on either side. The spire consists of a harmika, an inverted bowl, an upturned lotus, stacked rings, flame and jewel.
On the first story of the pagoda, there are Buddha niches on all four sides. The numerous groups of clay statues were sculpted in 711 during the Nara period and depict scenes from the Vimalakirti Sutra, as well as of the Distribution of Relics Among the Eight Kings, Maitreya teaching the Dharma, and the Buddha entering parinirvana. There is also a reliquary, which was found 2.6 m beneath the foundation of the pagoda, containing artifacts made of gold, silver and copper, as well as glass jars.