Enmyoji Temple Bell Tower

A Zen-Style Bell Tower with Sweeping Eaves

The Enmyoji Temple Bell Tower (圓明寺鐘楼) is a full-scale open bell tower of the mid-Edo period in Inuyama, Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on August 13, 2012 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a timber bell tower with a tiled roof and an area of 9 square metres; registration number 23-0354.

Close-Set Brackets and Sweeping Eaves

The bell tower of Enmyoji faces the priests' quarters on the east side of the precinct; it is an open tower three metres square on a stone base, with a hip-and-gable roof of full tiles (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Its frame is based on the Zen style, with close-set two-step brackets and a tie beam with a vase-shaped strut in the gable (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The deep eaves curve up strongly, a full-scale piece of work that sets off the precinct.

Why It Was Registered

The Agency notes it as a full-scale bell tower that sets off the precinct, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.

What to Look For

Look for the close-set two-step brackets and the strongly upturned deep eaves (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

It is owned by Enmyoji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on public access was found. The main hall, priests' quarters, monks' quarters, bell tower and gate are introduced together on the Enmyoji Temple page.