A Pagoda Rebuilt in 1652
The Honzanji Temple Three-Story Pagoda (本山寺三重塔) is a three-storey pagoda rebuilt by the Mori lords of Tsuyama, an early example of Edo-period structural methods of 1652 in Sadamune, Misaki Town, Kume District, Okayama Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on December 28, 1980 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a three-bay three-storey pagoda with roofs of wooden shingles; designation number 02115.
An Old Face and a New Frame
The three-storey pagoda of Honzanji was rebuilt in 1652 by the Mori family, lords of the Tsuyama domain (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is three bays square with roofs of wooden shingles.
Outside it follows old, orthodox methods, but inside it shows new ones, such as eaves held up by cantilevered hanegi beams and new ways of joining the bracket arms. The Agency counts it an early pagoda that took in Edo-period structural methods.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency values the pagoda as an early example that kept old, orthodox methods outside while taking Edo-period structural methods into its frame.
What to Look For
At the pagoda, look for its orthodox old-style exterior and three shingle roofs (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The pagoda is owned by Honzanji (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to Okayama Kanko Web, Honzanji is said to have been founded in 701 by the monk Raikan, and lies about 30 minutes by car from Tsuyama IC on the Chugoku Expressway or about 20 minutes by taxi from JR Yuge Station; it gives no hours or fees. The main hall, pagoda and hokyointo are introduced together on the Honzanji Temple (Misaki) page.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1652 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Who rebuilt it?
- The Mori lords of Tsuyama.
- What is new inside?
- Eaves held up by cantilever beams.
- What are the roofs?
- Wooden shingles.
- When was the Honzanji Temple Three-Story Pagoda designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On December 28, 1980 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Honzanji Temple Three-Story Pagoda (本山寺三重塔) |
|---|---|
| Location | Sadamune, Misaki Town, Kume District, Okayama Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1980/12/28 (Showa 55) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Three-bay three-storey pagoda, wooden shingles |
| Owner | Honzanji Temple |
| Public Access | About 30 minutes by car from Tsuyama IC on the Chugoku Expressway, or about 20 minutes by taxi from JR Yuge Station (Okayama Kanko Web) |
References
- Honzanji Temple Three-Story Pagoda (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/3103
- Honzanji Temple (Okayama Kanko Web, in Japanese)
- https://www.okayama-kanko.jp/spot/detail_11898.html
Last verified: 2026.11.10
