Kazenami Shrine Five-Storied Pagoda

Fūrō Shrine Five-Story Stone Pagoda: A Medieval Masterpiece

Standing quietly within the sacred grounds of Fūrō Shrine (also known as Fūrō-gū) in Ōkawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture, the Five-Story Stone Pagoda—commonly called the Shōhei-tō—is one of Japan's most remarkable examples of medieval stone craftsmanship. Erected in 1355 during the Muromachi period, this nationally designated Important Cultural Property bears witness to over six and a half centuries of history, faith, and artistic achievement in the Chikugo region of northern Kyushu.

Historical Background

The pagoda takes its popular name from the inscription carved into its surface, which records the date of its creation as the tenth year of the Shōhei era (正平十年, 1355). The inscription on the front face dedicates the pagoda to the "Ninety-Nine Great Gongen" (a syncretic Shinto-Buddhist deity) of Sakami Village in Chikugo Province. It was commissioned by two lay Buddhist devotees named Shami Dōe and Shami Dōichi, and crafted by a stonemason called Fujiwara no Suketsugu. The dedication expresses prayers for the eternal prosperity of the nation, bountiful harvests, the peace of the village, and the happiness of all people—aspirations that reflect the spiritual values of 14th-century Japan.

The pagoda stands within Fūrō Shrine, a venerable institution whose origins are traditionally traced back to 192 CE, when Empress Jingū is said to have established a sacred site here after being guided by a white heron upon returning from the Korean Peninsula. The shrine enshrines Wadatsumi no Mikoto, the sea deity, and has been a center of worship for the Chikugo region for over 1,800 years. Locals affectionately call it "Ofurō-san."

Why It Was Designated an Important Cultural Property

The Five-Story Stone Pagoda was designated a national Important Cultural Property on August 29, 1910 (Meiji 43). It was formerly classified as a National Treasure under the pre-war cultural property system. Several factors contribute to its exceptional cultural significance.

First, the pagoda is a superb example of Muromachi-period stone architecture. Its precisely dated inscription from 1355 provides an invaluable chronological reference point for the study of medieval stone pagodas in Japan. Second, the quality and variety of the relief carvings—featuring Buddhist figures such as Nyorai (Tathāgata), bodhisattvas, and heavenly beings (tennin) on each tier—demonstrate an extraordinarily high level of stonemasonry. Third, the pagoda exemplifies shinbutsu-shūgō, the historical syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism in Japan, as it combines Buddhist iconography with its placement within a Shinto shrine precinct. This makes it a precious document of Japan's complex religious history.

Architectural Highlights and Artistic Features

The pagoda rises approximately 3.3 meters in total height from a double-tiered stone base (nijū kidan). Five tiers of body sections (tōshin) and roofs are stacked above, each becoming progressively smaller as they ascend, creating an elegant sense of proportion and upward movement. A finial (sōrin) originally crowned the top, though its tip has been lost over the centuries.

Each roof is rendered in the hip-and-gable style (irimoya-zukuri), with thick, gently curving eaves. On the underside of the eaves, rafters (taruki) are carefully carved in relief—a remarkable level of detail for stone construction. Along the main ridge of each roof, ornamental patterns are sculpted, and at the lower edges of the ridges, dramatic demon-face carvings (onimen) glare outward. On the uppermost tier, coiled dragons (banryū) are depicted ascending toward the heavens, symbolizing enlightenment and spiritual ascension.

The body of each tier features niches (butsukan) containing relief sculptures of Buddhist deities—including serene bodhisattvas and graceful celestial maidens. The fineness and expressiveness of these carvings have been praised by scholars as outstanding examples of medieval Japanese stone art, combining religious devotion with masterful craftsmanship.

Visitor Information

The Five-Story Stone Pagoda is located within the precincts of Fūrō Shrine and can be viewed during shrine visiting hours, typically from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There is no admission fee to enter the shrine grounds or view the pagoda. While visiting, be sure to also admire the shrine's Main Hall (Honden), which is itself an Important Cultural Property dating from 1560, as well as the magnificent "Shirasagi no Kusu" (White Heron Camphor Tree), a sacred tree estimated to be around 2,000 years old and designated a Fukuoka Prefectural Natural Monument.

The shrine is accessible by bus from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station on the Nishitetsu Tenjin-Ōmuta Line. Take a bus bound for Saga Station or Ōkawa-bashi and alight at "Nakabaru Takagi Byōin-mae," then walk approximately 15 minutes (1.2 km). Alternatively, from JR Hainuzuka Station on the Kagoshima Main Line, take a Nishitetsu bus bound for Ōnoshima Nōkyō, get off at "Sakami," and walk about 6 minutes (450 m).

Surrounding Attractions

Ōkawa City and the surrounding Chikugo area offer a wealth of cultural and historical experiences to complement a visit to the Fūrō Shrine Five-Story Stone Pagoda.

• Fūrō Shrine Main Hall (Honden) — Rebuilt in 1560 by the warlord Kamachi Akimori, this Important Cultural Property showcases beautiful Muromachi-period shrine architecture with a gracefully curved cypress-bark roof.
• Chikugo River Shōkai Bridge (筑後川昇開橋) — A national Important Cultural Property and Mechanical Engineering Heritage site, this 1935 lift bridge is the oldest of its kind in Japan and a beloved symbol of Ōkawa City.
• Former Yoshihara Family Residence (旧吉原家住宅) — A nationally designated Important Cultural Property preserving the elegant architecture of a prosperous Edo-period merchant household.
• Ōkawa Park (大川公園) — The outer garden of Fūrō Shrine features hundreds of cherry trees and a monument inscribed with the handwriting of the famous composer Koga Masao, who was born in this region.
• Fūrō-gū Grand Festival (風浪宮大祭) — Held annually from February 9 to 11, this is one of the three great festivals of the Chikugo region, featuring the dramatic "Naked Running" (Hadaka-n-gyō) procession and traditional horseback archery (yabusame).