Hokiji Temple Three-Story Pagoda
Hokiji Temple Three-Story Pagoda
JAPAN, Nara, Ikoma
This three-story pagoda, the oldest in Japan, is believed to have been completed in 706 during the late Asuka period. Hokiji was built in accordance with Prince Shotoku’s final wishes and it is the only structure that remains from the original temple compound. The pagoda was listed as a National Treasure in 1951.
The three-by-three bay pagoda has a square pyramidal roof with cylindrical tiles. The roof is surmounted by a spire consisting of a square harmika, an inverted bowl, stacked rings, a flame, and a finial. The eaves are supported by cloud-pattern bracket arms and downward-pointing cantilevers. Although it is on a much smaller scale, this pagoda provides valuable historical information on the construction of the five-story pagoda at Horyuji Temple.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Architecture G-L, page 446.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Lancaster, Lewis,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Architecture G-L},
pages = 446,
title = {{Hokiji Temple Three-Story Pagoda}},
volume = 2,
year = {2016}}