The Pagoda that Completed the Kamakura Temple
The Myotsuji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda (明通寺三重塔) is a neat three-storied pagoda in the Kamakura Japanese style of 1270 in Monzen, Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, and was designated a National Treasure on November 14, 1953 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a three-storied pagoda three bays square with a cypress-bark roof; designation number 00144.
The Agency record also gives an earlier designation date of August 13, 1917, the date of its designation under the former law.
The Temple Completed in the 1260s
Myotsuji is said to have been founded in 806 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro (Agency for Cultural Affairs). After the main hall, other buildings followed: the two-storey Niodo gate had its ridge raised in 1264 and was dedicated in 1266, a bell was cast the next year, and the ridge of the pagoda was raised in 1270, completing the temple. The present pagoda dates from that time.
It is a three-bay, three-storied pagoda entirely in the Japanese style, without the ingenious structure and design of the main hall (Agency for Cultural Affairs). That follows naturally from the constraints of a pagoda, and for that very reason it shows the neat expression of the Kamakura Japanese style.
Why It Is a National Treasure
The Agency notes that Wakasa had close ties with Kyoto from early times and keeps many fine buildings, and that the main hall and pagoda of Myotsuji are its masterpieces, free of provincial lapses of style and equal to works in the capital.
What to Look For
Look for the neat Kamakura Japanese-style form and the three cypress-bark roofs (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Myotsuji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found. The main hall and pagoda are introduced together on the Myotsuji Temple page.
Q&A
- When was the pagoda built?
- Its ridge was raised in 1270.
- What style is it?
- Entirely the Japanese style.
- Why is it so highly regarded?
- It shows no provincial lapses and equals works in the capital.
- What else at Myotsuji is a National Treasure?
- The main hall.
- When was the Myotsuji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda designated a National Treasure?
- On November 14, 1953 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Myotsuji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda (明通寺三重塔) |
|---|---|
| Location | Monzen, Obama City, Fukui Prefecture |
| Designation | National Treasure (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated National Treasure 1953/11/14 (Showa 28) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Three-storied pagoda, three bays square, cypress bark |
| Owner | Myotsuji Temple |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Myotsuji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/821
Last verified: 2026.10.24
