Raigoin Three-Storey Stone Pagoda

A Stone Pagoda for the Founder of Ohara Shomyo

The Raigoin Three-Storey Stone Pagoda (来迎院三重塔) is a three-storey stone pagoda of the early Kamakura period (1185 to 1274) in the grounds of Raigoin in Ohara Raigoin-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on June 28, 1956. According to the Ohara Tourism Association, it is venerated as the grave of the monk Ryonin, who founded the temple.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a three-storey stone pagoda, one structure, owned by Raigoin.

The Home of Tendai Chant

According to the Ohara Tourism Association, Raigoin was founded by Ryonin, who revived the Buddhist chant known as shomyo, and has served as the principal centre of Tendai shomyo; its mountain name is Gyozan. Ryonin later founded the Yuzu Nembutsu school, and in the early Kamakura period monks gathered here in such numbers that there were once 49 sub-temples.

The main hall enshrines Yakushi, Amida and Shaka Nyorai, all Fujiwara-period works designated Important Cultural Properties (Ohara Tourism Association).

Why It Was Designated

The Raigoin Three-Storey Stone Pagoda was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1956. The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as an early Kamakura stone pagoda, and the Ohara Tourism Association describes it as the grave of Ryonin enshrined in the temple grounds.

What to Look For

The Raigoin Three-Storey Stone Pagoda is a three-tiered tower of stacked stone in the grounds of Raigoin (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Ohara Tourism Association). As the grave of the temple's founder, it carries the temple's history alongside the main hall.

On January 2 the temple holds Shushoe, a shomyo ceremony praying for peace and national tranquillity (Ohara Tourism Association), keeping alive its role as a centre of Tendai chant.

Visiting Raigoin

According to the Ohara Tourism Association, Raigoin is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day. Admission is 400 yen for adults and 360 yen in groups, rising to 500 yen for adults during the treasure exhibitions in May and November. The address is 537 Ohara Raigoin-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto; telephone 075-744-2161.