National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties · Nara

Todaiji Temple Five-Ring Pagoda

Todaiji Five-Ring Pagoda: An Early Kamakura Stone Gorintō in Kawakami

Todaiji's Five-Ring Pagoda, an early Kamakura stone gorintō in Kawakamicho apart from the main precinct: how to read its form, what its date means and access notes.

Designation National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties

Location Nara

Todaiji Temple Five-Ring Pagoda: A Kamakura-Period Stone Gorintō

The Todaiji Temple Five-Ring Pagoda (東大寺五輪塔, Gorintō) is an early Kamakura-period stone five-ring pagoda owned by Todaiji in Kawakamicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, designated an Important Cultural Property in 1955.

Most of Todaiji's buildings stand together in the Zoshicho precinct, but the Five-Ring Pagoda stands apart in Kawakamicho. The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it simply as one stone five-ring pagoda.

What a Five-Ring Pagoda Is

A gorintō is a stone monument of five stacked parts. Typically these are a cube at the base, then a sphere, a roof-shaped piece, a hemisphere and a jewel-shaped finial, standing for the five elements of Buddhist thought: earth, water, fire, wind and void. Such pagodas were raised widely as memorials and grave markers from the late Heian period on.

At the Todaiji Five-Ring Pagoda, look at the proportions of the five stones. The height of the base, the swell of the sphere and the curve of the roof stone vary by period and by mason, and are clues to a monument's age.

An Early Kamakura Date

The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates the Todaiji Temple Five-Ring Pagoda to the early Kamakura period (1185 to 1274). That overlaps with Todaiji's recovery under Chōgen after the fire of 1180. According to the temple, Chōgen was appointed chief fundraiser in 1181, saw the Great Buddha Hall consecrated in 1195, and went on rebuilding hall after hall.

The Five-Ring Pagoda is a stone work of that revival period. Set beside the timber buildings of the same era, such as the Great South Gate, the Bell Tower and the inner sanctum of the Founder's Hall, it shows that Todaiji's Kamakura renewal reached into stone as well.

Why the Five-Ring Pagoda Is an Important Cultural Property

The Todaiji Temple Five-Ring Pagoda was designated an Important Cultural Property on 2 February 1955. Most Todaiji buildings were protected in the Meiji era; this pagoda was designated after the war under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties.

Its value lies in being an early Kamakura stone pagoda, recording Todaiji's medieval history in a different material from its halls and gates.

Visiting the Five-Ring Pagoda

The Todaiji Temple Five-Ring Pagoda stands in Kawakamicho, Nara City, away from the Zoshicho precinct. The temple's visitor information says nothing about public access to it or how to get there.

If you visit, be mindful of the surroundings and do not touch or climb the stones. To be sure of the location and whether it can be seen, ask Todaiji in advance. Admission and directions for the main temple are on the Todaiji Temple page.

📍 Plan Your Visit to Nara: Find tours, activities & transport passes near Todaiji Temple Five-Ring Pagoda; [ Todaiji Great Buddha & Nara Park Deer Experience ]

Q&A

QWhen was the Todaiji Five-Ring Pagoda made?: AThe Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the early Kamakura period (1185 to 1274), the time of Chōgen's restoration of Todaiji.

QWhere is the Todaiji Five-Ring Pagoda?: AIn Kawakamicho, Nara City, away from the main Todaiji precinct in Zoshicho.

QWhat do the five rings of the Todaiji Five-Ring Pagoda mean?: AThe five stacked stones stand for earth, water, fire, wind and void, the five elements of Buddhist thought.

QWhen was the Todaiji Five-Ring Pagoda designated?: AOn 2 February 1955.

QCan visitors see the Todaiji Five-Ring Pagoda?: AThe temple gives no access information, so check the location and viewing with Todaiji in advance.

Basic Information

Name	Todaiji Temple Five-Ring Pagoda
Location	Kawakamicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Designation	Important Cultural Property
Year Designated	1955
Quantity	1 monument
Dimensions	Stone five-ring pagoda
Owner	Todaiji Temple
Public Access	No public access information from the temple