National TreasureFive-Storied Pagoda
- Edo Period 1644
- Wooden Structure / Tiled Roof (hongawarabuki)
Five-Storied Pagoda
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Tōji’s pagoda is a Kyoto landmark visible from around the city. It is 55 meters high and the tallest traditional wooden building in Japan. Despite its slender form, it is surprisingly resilient to earthquakes—but not, unfortunately, to lightning. The pagoda has burned down four times and was rebuilt most recently in 1644 with support from Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604–1651), the third Tokugawa shogun.
Pagodas evolved from Indian stupas, structures used since ancient times for burials and for housing sacred relics. This one was originally built to enshrine relics of the historical Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama, sixth century BCE) brought to Japan from China by Kūkai (774–835), founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism. The relics are stored within the pagoda’s central column.
The central column represents Dainichi Nyorai, the primordial or cosmic Buddha, who occupies the most important place in Shingon Buddhism. Inside the pagoda, the column is surrounded by four other Buddhas. Together with Dainichi Nyorai, they comprise the Five Great Buddhas found in the center of the Diamond World Mandala, a symbolic representation of the universe as understood in esoteric Buddhism. The same arrangement of Buddhas can be found in the statues in the Lecture Hall.
On the interior walls are paintings of Kūkai and other masters of esoteric Buddhism, and of a dragon. Dragons are water creatures in Chinese and Japanese mythology, and this image is intended to protect the wooden building from fire. A final distinctive touch can be found on the outside of the building: a carving of a small, demon-like creature called a jaki is perched on a protruding beam on each corner, where he appears to be helping to support the roof.
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Shingon school
A Buddhist sect founded by Kukai, who established Mt. Koya as a place of worship.
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Emperor Saga
The 52nd emperor of Japan, reigning from 786 to 842. He was a son of Emperor Kanmu.
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Tang
A Chinese dynasty (618–907)
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Saiji
A state-sponsored temple was established west of the Rajomon gate alongside Toji to provide spiritual protection for the nation.
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Emperor Kanmu
The 50th emperor, who lived from 737–806. Responsible for relocating the capital from Heijo-kyo (present day Nara) to Nagaoka-kyo, and then to Heian-kyo (present day Kyoto).
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Mandala
A pictorial depiction of various deities from esoteric Buddhism according to its doctrines. Mandala, in Sanskrit, means “that which has an essence.”
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cypress bark
A unique Japanese roofing method that involves laying Japanese cypress bark and fastening it with bamboo nails. This technique is durable and results in a beautiful finish.
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veranda
Refers to the boarded passage section established on the outside of a main building. The veranda of a formal room consists of a hiroen, with an additional, lower extension called an otoshi-en, producing a wide opening.
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abbot (betto)
The title of an official stationed at major temples and shrines.
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shoin-zukuri
Refers to a wide range of seating areas and buildings equipped with zashiki-kazari (a type of interior decoration). Emphasizing formality and the functions of receiving guests and holding meetings, the shoin-zukuri style has been passed down to the present day, serving as the prototype for modern Japanese-style rooms.
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gable
Generally, a triangle bargeboard that is located on the side of gable roofs where both sides of the roofs meet.
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Azuchi-Momoyama period
This historical period refers to the time from 1568, when Oda Nobunaga entered Kyoto with Ashikaga Yoshiaki, to 1598, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi passed away, or alternatively until 1603, when Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed as the Shogun and established the Edo shogunate.
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Miyamoto Musashi
Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) was a swordsman from the early Edo period. As both a military strategist and artist, he founded the Niten Ichi-ryu school of swordsmanship, which uses two swords. Known for his battles against the Yoshioka clan in Kyoto and his duel with Sasaki Kojiro on Ganryu Island.
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Goho
Goho was a scholar monk of the Shingon sect during the Nanbokucho period (1336-1392). He served as the first leader of Kanchi-in at Toji from 1306 to 1362.
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jaki
In Buddhism, jaki are considered malevolent beings that defile the teachings of the Buddha. The imagery of the Four Heavenly Kings trampling on jakis is, therefore, said to symbolize the suppression of worldly desires.
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Masters of Esoteric Buddhism
Eight monks from India, China, and Japan who transmitted and preserved the teachings of Esoteric Shingon Buddhism: Nagarjuna, Nagabodhi, Vajrabodhi, Amoghavajra, Subhakarasimha, Yi Xing, Huiguo, and Kukai.
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Five Great Buddhas
The Five Wisdoms possessed by Dainichi Nyorai are said to be distributed among the Five Buddhas of the Diamond World. These Five Wisdom Buddhas of the Diamond World are represented by five figures: Dainichi Nyorai, Ashuku Nyorai, Hosho Nyorai, Amida Nyorai, and Fukujoju Nyorai.
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Diamond World Mandala
The Mandala based on the Vajrasekhara Sutra. The Diamond World Mandala is said to represent the wisdom of Dainichi Nyorai. Together with the Garbhadhatu Mandala, they are known as the Mandala of the Two Realms.
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Dainichi Nyorai
The principal deity of esoteric Buddhism, regarded as representing the truth of the universe.
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Shingon Buddhism
The school of Japanese esoteric Buddhism founded as Shingon by Kobo Daishi (Kukai), who received his teachings from the Chinese master Huiguo during the Tang dynasty.
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central column
A central pillar set in the heart of a stupa or pagoda, rising from the base stone and extending through the top to support the finial above the roof. It is said to symbolize the spot where the Buddha’s relics are enshrined.
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Siddhartha Gautama
The founder of Buddhism, also known as the Buddha. “Shaka” is a shortened form of Shakyamuni, meaning a saint from the Shakya clan.
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sacred relics
The tradition of venerating the Buddha's ashes evolved into the practice of relic worship. Following its introduction to Japan, the worship of enshrining relics in pagodas became widespread, leading to the construction of five-story and three-story pagodas.
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Tokugawa Iemitsu
Iemitsu (1604-1651), the third shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, was the son of the second shogun Hidetada and the daughter of Oichi, the sister of Oda Nobunaga, named Ogo.
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beams
Horizontal structural elements of buildings. They support loads such as roofs, floors, and walls, transferring the weight to columns and walls, ensuring the overall strength of the building.
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Great-Buddha-Hall style
Also known as the Tenjiku style, an architectural style introduced from China by Chogen during the Kamakura period. It is known for being robust and well-suited for large wooden structures.
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Twelve Heavenly Generals
The Twelve Heavenly Generals who protect Yakushi Nyorai are depicted as deities wearing armor and holding weapons, commonly represented with the twelve Chinese zodiac signs on their heads.
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Kukai
Also known as Kobo Daishi (774–835), he was the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.
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- Overview of Tōji Temple
- Architecture of the Lecture Hall (Kōdō)
- Lecture Hall (Kōdō)
- Five-Storied Pagoda
- Main Hall (Kondō)
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Yakushi Nyorai
Since the introduction of Buddhism to Japan, this deity was revered as a healing Buddha who supports the health of mind and body while curing illnesses and suffering.
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Main Hall
The Main Hall enshrines the principal deity. In traditional temples from the Nara period onwards, it serves as the central building of the temple complex.
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