Kofukuji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda

A Pagoda with a Thousand Painted Buddhas

The Kofukuji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda (興福寺三重塔) is a graceful three-storied pagoda in the Heian manner of the early Kamakura period in Noboriojicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and was designated a National Treasure on March 29, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a three-storied pagoda three bays square with a roof of full tiles; designation number 00060.

The Agency record also gives an earlier designation date of December 28, 1897, the date of its designation under the former law.

Commissioned by Kokamon-in and Rebuilt

The Three-Storied Pagoda of Kofukuji was completed in 1143 at the wish of Kokamon-in, burned in the war fires of 1180 and was later rebuilt (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The date of rebuilding is not clear but is thought to have been soon after the fire, and it was repaired in 1550.

Each storey is three bays square, with a veranda around the first; the first storey has single-step brackets and the upper ones three-step brackets (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Inside, the central pillar stops at the second storey, and on the first storey boards set diagonally between the four inner pillars are painted on both faces with a thousand Buddhas, an unusual arrangement. The coffered ceiling, rails and posts are painted with vivid Chinese patterns.

Why It Is a National Treasure

The Agency notes that it keeps the slender Heian manner, is graceful as a whole, and is among the finest surviving three-storied pagodas.

What to Look For

Look for its slender, graceful form and the thousand Buddhas painted inside the first storey (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

It is owned by Kofukuji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting hours or fees was found. The designated buildings of Kofukuji are introduced together on the Kofukuji Temple page.