A Bell Tower Dated by Its Ink Inscription
The Myojuji Temple Bell Tower (妙壽寺鐘楼) is a bell tower of 1761 in Kanaya-machi, Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on March 27, 2018 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a timber structure with a tiled roof, covering 11 square metres; registration number 44-227.
Splayed Posts and a Raised Coffered Ceiling
The Myojuji Temple Bell Tower stands southeast of the main hall (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is one bay square, with a fully tiled hip-and-gable roof. Its four square posts rise from a cut-stone platform and all lean slightly inward, a technique called shihokorobi, held together by tie beams at waist height and at the top.
Bungotakada City says an ink inscription found above the ceiling dates the tower to 1761. The bracket sets project one step and are backed by curved infill boards; above them the ceiling is raised on carved trim boards into a coffered panel (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it as a model of design for an original touch: between the posts sits a frog-leg strut as wide as the bay itself, carved with peonies. Bungotakada City likewise sees careful, graceful workmanship in the raised coffered ceiling and the carving.
What to Look For
Stand beneath the Myojuji bell tower and look up at the broad frog-leg strut filling the space between the posts, carved with peonies (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Beyond it are the carved trim boards and the raised coffered ceiling. All four corner posts lean inward.
Visiting
The bell tower is on the south side of the precinct, southeast of the main hall (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Bungotakada City). No official information was found on whether visitors may ring the bell.
Q&A
- When was the Myojuji Temple Bell Tower built?
- In 1761, as shown by an ink inscription above the ceiling (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Bungotakada City).
- Where is the Myojuji bell tower?
- In the Myojuji precinct in Kanaya-machi, Bungotakada, southeast of the main hall.
- What should I look for at the Myojuji Temple Bell Tower?
- The wide frog-leg strut carved with peonies and the raised coffered ceiling (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Can visitors ring the bell at Myojuji?
- No official information on ringing the bell was found.
- When was the Myojuji Temple Bell Tower registered?
- On March 27, 2018 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Myojuji Temple Bell Tower (妙壽寺鐘楼) |
|---|---|
| Location | 598-1 Kanaya-machi, Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/03/27 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, tiled roof, 11 m² |
| Owner | Myojuji (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | South side of the precinct (no visiting information) |
References
- Myojuji Temple Bell Tower (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012264
- Registration of the Myojuji Main Hall and four other buildings (Bungotakada City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.bungotakada.oita.jp/site/bunkazai/2251.html
Last verified: 2026.10.20
