A Kamakura Pagoda at the 51st Pilgrimage Temple
The Ishiteji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda (石手寺三重塔) is a three-bay, three-storied pagoda of the late Kamakura period in Ishite, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on May 27, 1907 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a three-bay, three-storied pagoda with a roof of full tiles, designated together with a ridge tag; designation number 00420.
The 1907 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.
A Late Kamakura Pagoda
According to the Agency's detailed commentary, Ishiteji is said to have been founded in 728 by Ochi no Tamazumi at the command of Emperor Shomu as Anyoji, and renamed Ishiteji in 892.
The pagoda dates from the late Kamakura period and is a three-bay, three-storied pagoda with a roof of full tiles (Agency for Cultural Affairs). A ridge tag is designated with it.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency record has no commentary; the date, the late Kamakura period, and its form, a three-bay, three-storied pagoda, set out what was designated.
What to Look For
Look for the three tiers of tiled roofs (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Ishiteji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to Matsuyama City, Ishiteji is the 51st temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage and about 25 minutes on foot from Dogo Onsen Honkan. No official information on visiting hours or fees was found. The seven designated structures are introduced together on the Ishiteji Temple page.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In the late Kamakura period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What form does it take?
- A three-bay, three-storied pagoda with tiled roofs.
- What is designated with it?
- A ridge tag.
- What kind of temple is Ishiteji?
- The 51st temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage (Matsuyama City).
- When was the Ishiteji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On May 27, 1907 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Ishiteji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda (石手寺三重塔) |
|---|---|
| Location | Ishite 2-chome, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1907/05/27 (Meiji 40) |
| Quantity | 1 structure (with 1 ridge tag) |
| Dimensions | Three bays, three storeys, full tiles |
| Owner | Ishiteji Temple |
| Public Access | About 25 minutes on foot from Dogo Onsen Honkan (Matsuyama City) |
References
- Ishiteji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/3311
- Dogo walking guide (Matsuyama City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.matsuyama.ehime.jp/hodo/h31/202002/dogoinbound.files/course_01jp.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.24
