A Pagoda of 1622
The Hokekyoji Temple Five-Story Pagoda (法華経寺五重塔) is an early Edo five-storey pagoda at Nakayama Hokekyoji, a leading Nichiren temple of 1622 in Nakayama, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on May 24, 1916 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a three-bay, five-storey pagoda with a batten-seam copper roof; designation number 00665.
The 1916 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.
A Pagoda of 1622
The five-storey pagoda of Hokekyoji in Nakayama, Ichikawa City, Chiba, dates from 1622 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is three bays square and five storeys high, roofed in batten-seam copper.
Hokekyoji is a leading temple of the Nichiren school; besides the pagoda, its founder's hall, Hokkedo and four-legged gate are Important Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to an Ichikawa City area map, the pagoda can be seen from the windows and platforms of the JR Sobu line.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency record has no commentary; the date, 1622, and its form, a three-bay five-storey pagoda with a copper roof, set out what was designated.
What to Look For
At Hokekyoji, look for the five-storey pagoda rising among the trees (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Ichikawa City).
Visiting
The pagoda is owned by Hokekyoji (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to an Ichikawa City area map, the road running north from Keisei Nakayama Station leads to the temple approach.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1622 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What form does it take?
- A three-bay five-storey pagoda.
- How is the name read?
- Hokekyoji (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was it designated?
- In 1916, under the former law.
- When was the Hokekyoji Temple Five-Story Pagoda designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On May 24, 1916 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Hokekyoji Temple Five-Story Pagoda (法華経寺五重塔) |
|---|---|
| Location | Nakayama, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1916/05/24 (Taisho 5) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Three-bay, five-storey pagoda, batten-seam copper |
| Owner | Hokekyoji Temple |
| Public Access | At the end of the approach running north from Keisei Nakayama Station (Ichikawa City) |
References
- Hokekyoji Temple Five-Story Pagoda (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/464
- Nakayama and Wakamiya area map (Ichikawa City Culture Promotion Division, 2012, in Japanese)
- https://www.city.ichikawa.lg.jp/common/000149778.pdf
Last verified: 2026.11.12
