Chorakuji Hoto: A Rare Kamakura-Era Stone Pagoda in Gunma
Deep within the tranquil grounds of Chorakuji Temple in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, an extraordinary stone monument has endured for over seven centuries. The Chorakuji Hoto (長楽寺宝塔) is a stone pagoda dating from the Kamakura period (1185–1333), standing atop a keyhole-shaped burial mound known as Monjuyama. Designated as a nationally Important Cultural Property, this remarkable artifact bears an inscription from the year 1276, making it one of only two stone pagodas in Gunma Prefecture with a confirmed Kamakura-period date. For visitors drawn to the authentic, lesser-known heritage of Japan, the Chorakuji Hoto offers a rare encounter with medieval Buddhist craftsmanship and the deep historical roots of the Tokugawa shogunal dynasty.
History of Chorakuji Temple
Chorakuji Temple (長楽寺) was founded in 1221 by Tokugawa (Nitta) Yoshisue, the son of Nitta Yoshishige, a powerful warrior of the Kanto region. The temple was established as a Rinzai Zen monastery with the eminent monk Eicho — a direct disciple of Eisai, the founder of Japanese Rinzai Zen — serving as its first head priest. Known as the "First Zen Cave of Eastern Japan" (Tokan Saishozenkutsu), the temple flourished during the Kamakura period. Its vast precincts, spanning approximately 60,000 tsubo (about 20 hectares), housed numerous sub-temples and attracted many scholarly monks.
During the Muromachi period, Chorakuji was ranked seventh among the prestigious Jissatsu (Ten Temples) in the Gozan system. However, as the fortunes of the Nitta clan declined, the temple fell into disrepair. In 1590, Tokugawa Ieyasu — who claimed descent from the Nitta branch through the Tokugawa (Serada) lineage — ordered the great Buddhist master Tenkai to restore the temple. Tenkai converted it from Rinzai to Tendai Buddhism, and under the Tokugawa shogunate's patronage, Chorakuji grew into a major institution with over 700 branch temples.
The Hoto Stone Pagoda: Description and Significance
The Chorakuji Hoto stands on the summit of the rear circular portion of Monjuyama, a keyhole-shaped kofun (ancient burial mound) located within the temple grounds. The hilltop is home to a cluster of 16 stone monuments, traditionally believed to mark the graves of Tokugawa Yoshisue and successive generations of the Tokugawa clan. Among these, the nationally designated Hoto is of outstanding historical and artistic importance.
The pagoda is carved from Tenjinyama tuff, a volcanic stone quarried in what is now Kasanagi-cho in the city of Midori, Gunma Prefecture. Although the uppermost finial (sorin) has been lost over the centuries, the roof (okubuta) and all sections below remain intact. The pagoda measures 187.1 centimeters from the top of the roof to the bottom of the base and was originally erected directly on the ground without a separate pedestal.
What makes this monument truly exceptional is the inscription discovered on the underside of its base stone. When workers were repairing and leveling the tilting pagoda in 1931 during construction of a surrounding stone wall, they uncovered the following inscription:
"Respectfully stated: This Taho Stone Pagoda was erected on the 25th day of the 12th month of Kenji 2 (1276) by Ingo, the third-generation head priest."
This discovery was entirely unexpected, as no historical document or oral tradition had ever mentioned the inscription. It definitively dates the pagoda to 1276, confirming it as one of only two stone pagodas in all of Gunma Prefecture bearing a verified Kamakura-period inscription. The pagoda was designated as a nationally Important Cultural Property on March 23, 1961.
The Builder: Ingo, the Third Abbot
The inscription identifies the pagoda's creator as Itto Ingo (一翁院豪), who served as the third abbot of Chorakuji Temple. Ingo was a distinguished Zen monk who traveled to Song Dynasty China in 1244 to deepen his studies. Upon his return to Japan, he was appointed head priest of Chorakuji in 1258 and served in that role for 24 years until his death in 1281. In recognition of his lifelong contributions, the Imperial Court bestowed upon him the posthumous title of Enmyo Butsuen Zenji (円明仏演禅師). The Hoto pagoda thus stands as a monument not only to the Tokugawa ancestors but also to the piety and learning of one of medieval Japan's remarkable Zen masters.
Why Was It Designated an Important Cultural Property?
The Chorakuji Hoto was designated for several compelling reasons. While Gunma Prefecture possesses many stone pagodas, only 13 can be attributed to the Kamakura period, and of those, merely two bear inscriptions that confirm their date of construction. The Chorakuji Hoto is one of these two. The clearly legible inscription from 1276 provides invaluable evidence for dating medieval stone-carving techniques and Buddhist memorial practices in eastern Japan. Combined with its well-preserved form and the historical significance of its builder, the pagoda is recognized as a cultural artifact of national importance.
Highlights and What to See
Visiting the Chorakuji Hoto offers a layered experience that combines archaeology, Buddhist art, and the political history of the Tokugawa clan. Here are the key highlights:
- Monjuyama Kofun and Stone Monument Cluster: The Hoto sits atop a prehistoric keyhole-shaped burial mound, surrounded by 15 other stone monuments marking the Tokugawa ancestral graves. The combination of an ancient kofun and medieval stone pagodas in a single sacred space is remarkably atmospheric.
- Chorakuji Temple Buildings: The temple complex includes several Edo-period structures designated as Gunma Prefectural Cultural Properties, including the Chokushimon (Imperial Envoy Gate), the Sanbutsudo (Three Buddha Hall), and the Taikomon (Drum Gate). The Kaizando (Founder's Hall) houses a statue of the temple's first abbot, Eicho.
- Serada Toshogu Shrine: Adjacent to Chorakuji, this shrine was established when Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu transferred the original inner sanctum of the Nikko Toshogu (built by the second shogun Hidetada) to this site in 1644. Its main hall, worship hall, and Chinese-style gate are designated Important Cultural Properties.
- Nitta-sho Historical Museum: Located within the Ota City Historical Park, this museum displays cultural properties from Chorakuji, Serada Toshogu, and the broader Nitta-sho estate. It provides excellent context for understanding the area's medieval and early modern history.
- Lotus Pond and Togetsukyo Bridge: The temple's scenic lotus pond, spanned by the Togetsukyo (Moon-Crossing Bridge), evokes the elegance of a Kamakura-era Zen monastery.
Surrounding Area and Nearby Attractions
The Chorakuji Hoto is situated within a rich cultural landscape. The entire Chorakuji precinct and the adjacent Serada Toshogu are designated as part of the nationally recognized Nitta-sho Historic Site, a complex of 11 sites associated with the medieval Nitta clan estate. The Ota City Historical Park connects the temple, shrine, and museum in a pleasant walkable area with green spaces and historical monuments, including a statue of the legendary samurai Nitta Yoshisada.
Ota City itself offers further historical attractions, such as the ruins of Kanayama Castle, a major mountain fortress of the Sengoku period. For nature lovers, the surrounding Gunma countryside provides seasonal beauty, from cherry blossoms in spring to vibrant autumn foliage. The area is also known as the "Birthplace of Tokugawa," offering visitors a chance to trace the deep roots of the dynasty that ruled Japan for over 260 years.
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Q＆A
- What exactly is a "Hoto" stone pagoda?
- A Hoto (宝塔) is a type of Japanese stone memorial tower characterized by a cylindrical body, a square base, and a tiered roof. Originating in Buddhist funerary and devotional practices, Hoto pagodas became especially popular during the Kamakura period. They were often erected to honor the deceased or to enshrine Buddhist relics.
- Can I see the inscription on the base of the pagoda?
- The inscription is located on the underside of the base stone and is not directly visible in normal conditions, as the pagoda rests on the ground. However, rubbings and photographic records of the inscription are available at the Nitta-sho Historical Museum adjacent to the temple.
- Is there an admission fee to visit Chorakuji Temple and the Hoto?
- The temple grounds, including the area around the Hoto, can generally be visited free of charge. The adjacent Serada Toshogu Shrine's Treasure Hall charges 300 yen for adults and 100 yen for children. The Nitta-sho Historical Museum charges 200 yen for adults, with free admission for junior high school students and younger.
- How do I get to Chorakuji Temple?
- The nearest station is Serada Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line. From the station, the temple is approximately a 17–20 minute walk (about 2 km). Free rental bicycles are available at the station. By car, the temple is about 20 minutes from the Isesaki Interchange on the Kita-Kanto Expressway. Free parking is available at the adjacent Ota City Historical Park.
- What is the connection between Chorakuji Temple and the Tokugawa shoguns?
- Chorakuji was founded by Tokugawa (Nitta) Yoshisue, whom the Tokugawa shogunal family later claimed as their ancestor. Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, regarded Chorakuji as his ancestral temple and ordered its restoration. His grandson, the third shogun Iemitsu, further honored the site by relocating the original inner sanctum of Nikko Toshogu to the temple grounds, establishing Serada Toshogu Shrine.
Basic Information
| Name | Chorakuji Hoto (長楽寺宝塔) |
|---|---|
| Designation | Important Cultural Property of Japan (designated March 23, 1961) |
| Type | Stone Hoto Pagoda (石造宝塔) |
| Period | Late Kamakura period — Kenji 2 (1276) |
| Material | Tenjinyama tuff (天神山凝灰岩), quarried in present-day Midori City, Gunma |
| Dimensions | Height 187.1 cm (from roof top to base bottom; finial lost) |
| Builder | Itto Ingo (一翁院豪), 3rd Abbot of Chorakuji |
| Owner | Chorakuji Temple (長楽寺) |
| Location | 3119-6 Serada-cho, Ota City, Gunma Prefecture 370-0426 |
| Access | 17–20 min walk from Serada Station (Tobu Isesaki Line); 20 min by car from Isesaki IC (Kita-Kanto Expressway) |
| Contact | Chorakuji Temple: 0276-52-1035 / Ota City Board of Education, Cultural Properties Division: 0276-20-7090 |
References
- 長楽寺宝塔 — 太田市ホームページ（文化財課）
- https://www.city.ota.gunma.jp/page/4224.html
- 長楽寺宝塔 — 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/199359
- 新田荘遺跡（長楽寺境内） — 太田市ホームページ（文化財課）
- https://www.city.ota.gunma.jp/page/4188.html
- 長楽寺の概要と関連する指定文化財一覧 — 太田市ホームページ（文化財課）
- https://www.city.ota.gunma.jp/page/4215.html
- 世良田山 長楽寺 | 天台宗準別格大寺（公式サイト）
- https://serada-chourakuji.jp/
- 長楽寺 | 太田市観光物産協会
- https://www.ota-kanko.jp/spot/spot02/chourakuji/
- 新田荘遺跡（東照宮境内） — 太田市ホームページ（文化財課）
- https://www.city.ota.gunma.jp/page/4189.html
Last verified: 2026.03.23