Toji Temple Five-Story Pagoda

JAPAN, Kyoto

This is the largest and highest among Japan’s existing five-story pagodas. Its construction began in 823 during the Heian period, when it was bestowed upon Master Kukai, and lasted more than half a century. It was completed around 883 during the Heian period, but was later destroyed four times by disasters, such as fires and earthquakes. The current structure is the result of a restoration completed in 1644 during the Edo period by Tokugawa Iemitsu in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of Master Kukai’s death. In 1952 it was listed as a National Treasure.
The three-by-three bay pagoda measures 55 m high and has a roof made of cylindrical tiles. At the base it has a length of 9.5 m on each side. Each story is surrounded by balustrades. Under the four corner eaves of the first story there are carvings of yaksa bearing the weight of the pagoda. The spire consists of a harmika, inverted bowl, upright lotus, stacked rings, and a jewel. The pagoda was built in the wayo style of the Azuchi-Momoyama (1573–1615) and Edo (1615–1868) periods.
At the top of the square central pillar in the first story there are images of Aksobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi. The square central pillar, as well as the pagoda body, symbolizes the Vairocana Buddha. The beams, architraves and walls are painted with illustrations of the Mandalas of the Two Realms, Eight Patriarchs of the Shingon school, Eight Naga Kings, and floral images. It is said that it was Master Kukai’s idea to present the world of Vajrayana Buddhism in such a splendid manner.