Saidaiji Temple: Reliquary Stupa and Reliquaries

JAPAN, Nara; Kamakura period

According to the inscription on the central pillar of the stupa, the reliquary stupa and the reliquaries within it were completed by Fujiwara Muneyasu and other craftsmen at the request of monk Eizon of Saidaiji Temple in 1283. It was listed as a National Treasure in 1953.
The square base of the stupa is plain apart from pilasters, which divide each side into three panels. The stupa is in the shape of the Prabhutaratna Pagoda with four doors around the cylindrical body. The top of the body is in the form of a dome followed by a low cylinder with balustrades and corbeled eaves. The square pyramidal roof is surmounted by a spire made of a domed harmika, upright lotus, nine stacked rings, and two canopies. The finial consists of an upright lotus and a flaming jewel, and four chains connect the lower canopy with the corners of the roof. Wind chimes hang from the chains at the corners of the eaves.
Inside the stupa, there are five gilt copper alloy reliquary vessels with the largest in the middle, and the others in the four corners. They range in height from 29.7 cm to 33.5 cm and are similar to one another. They have a round stemmed base with a body in the shape of a vase. A multi-petal lotus bud sits in the mouth of the reliquary vessel.
Inside each reliquary vessel is another small copper alloy reliquary, with a round base and a inverted lotus supporting an upright lotus, in which relics are enshrined. Above the lotus, there is a crystal ball surrounded by a copper flame pattern. Their heights range from 13.3 cm to 14.8 cm. It is thought that this type of reliquary was derived from Vajrayana Buddhist practice.