The Belfry beside the Steps
The Hagiwaraji Temple Bell Tower (萩原寺鐘楼) is an open-sided belfry of the early Meiji period (1868 to 1882) in Hagiwara, Onohara-cho, Kannonji City, Kagawa Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on December 19, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records construction in the early Meiji period, and describes a timber structure with a tile roof and an area of 11 square metres; registration number 37-0404.
An Open Belfry by the Stone Steps
The Hagiwaraji Temple Bell Tower stands beside the stone steps that climb to the main hall (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It has no walls, and its hip-and-gable (irimoya) roof is covered with interlocking pantiles.
Its chamfered square posts are splayed, each leaning slightly inward toward the top, and tied by tie beams. A daiwa plate runs over the head beams and carries triple bracket sets; between the posts sit Kaerumata struts carved into dragons and waves, and the projecting beam ends (Kibana) are carved as lions (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Hagiwaraji Temple Bell Tower was registered as a structure that contributes to the historic landscape of the country (Agency for Cultural Affairs), which describes it as a belfry of neat, well-balanced design that adds to the scenery of the precinct.
The council report gives as its reason for registration the way the temple buildings were added and kept up without a break between the early modern and modern periods. Built early in the Meiji era, the bell tower represents the modern end of that sequence.
What to Look For
Look at the Hagiwaraji Temple Bell Tower from partway up the steps to see how the posts lean in as they rise; the splay gives the open frame a steady, planted look.
The carving is concentrated at the top of the posts: compare the lions on the beam ends with the dragons and waves of the struts. The temple calendar includes the New Year's Eve bell on December 31 (temple leaflet).
Visiting
The Hagiwaraji Temple Bell Tower stands beside the steps to the main hall and can be seen close up from the approach. No official information was found on whether visitors may ring the bell. Directions to the temple and its yearly events are gathered on the Hagiwaraji Temple page.
Q&A
- When was the Hagiwaraji Temple Bell Tower built?
- In the early Meiji period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is the Hagiwaraji Temple Bell Tower?
- Beside the stone steps that lead up to the main hall (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What do the carvings on the Hagiwaraji Temple Bell Tower show?
- Lions on the beam ends, and dragons and waves on the struts between the posts (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Why do the posts of the Hagiwaraji Temple Bell Tower lean inward?
- They are splayed on purpose, a framing method called shiho-korobi (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Hagiwaraji Temple Bell Tower registered?
- On December 19, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Hagiwaraji Temple Bell Tower (萩原寺鐘楼) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2737-1 Hagiwara, Onohara-cho, Kannonji City, Kagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered December 19, 2014 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, tile roof, area 11 m² |
| Owner | Religious Corporation Hagiwaraji Temple |
| Public Access | Exterior visible from the approach |
References
- Hagiwaraji Temple Bell Tower (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010364
- Registration of Tangible Cultural Properties (Structures), Council for Cultural Affairs report of July 18, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japanese)
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/yukei_kenzobutsu/pdf/bunkasingi_tousin_140718.pdf
- Hagiwaraji Temple leaflet (published by Kannonji City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.kanonji.kagawa.jp/uploaded/life/14742_25398_misc.pdf
Last verified: 2026.11.01
