Todaiji Temple Bell Tower

JAPAN, Nara

The bell tower is located within Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple) at the top of the slope that lies to the east of the Golden Hall, opposite the sutra repository. The original bell tower was built in 752 during the Nara period; however, the existing structure was built by monk Eisai between 1207 and 1211 during the Kamakura period. It is the oldest and largest bell tower built in the four-column pavilion style. In 1953 the tower was listed as a National Treasure.
This bell tower stands on a square base platform and is made of wood. It has a hip-and-gable roof covered with cylindrical tiles and the eaves curve gently upwards at the corners. The eaves are exposed revealing the roof support structure, including the use of bracket sets and downward pointing cantilevers. The tower is open on all sides: it has round columns at the corners and smaller intermediate columns, together with penetrating tie beams. The 26.3 t bell is suspended from the central transverse beam. It has a height of 386.5 cm and a diameter of 270.8 cm. The bell was recast at the same time that the tower was rebuilt.The entire structure appears stable, simple, and elegant.