Kofukuji Temple Five-Story Pagoda

JAPAN, Nara

Second only to Kyoto’s Toji Temple five-story pagoda, it is Japan’s second tallest pagoda built before the Edo period (1615–1868). Founded by Empress Komyo in 730 during the Nara period, the 45 m high pagoda was then the tallest in Japan. It was destroyed by fire and reconstructed five times. The current pagoda was constructed in 1426 during the Muromachi period and preserves the architectural features of the Nara period (710–794). It was listed as a National Treasure in 1952.
The three-by-three bay, five-story wooden pagoda stands on a square base platform with steps on each side and is 50.1 m high. On the first story there are doors in the central bays and mullioned windows on either side. There are no windows on the remaining stories. There are low balustrades on the second story. The extended eaves are covered with cylindrical tiles and are slightly upturned at the corners. The spire consists of a square harmika, inverted bowl, upturned lotus, stacked rings, flame, and jewel. The interior of the first story has wooden floors. Around the central pillar, there is a Medicine Buddha Triad to the east, a Sakyamuni Buddha Triad to the south, an Amitabha Buddha Triad to the west, and a Maitreya Buddha Triad to the north.