Chomeiji Temple Bell Tower: Dated by a Builder's Mallet of 1608
The Chomeiji Temple Bell Tower (長命寺鐘楼, Chōmei-ji Shōrō) is a Momoyama-period bell tower at Chomeiji Temple in Chomeiji-cho, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1967.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to 1608. According to the Shiga Prefecture encyclopedia, the year is known from an ink inscription on the wooden mallet used at the ridge-raising ceremony. That mallet and two ridge tags (Munafuda) are designated with the tower as attached items (Tsuketari).
The tower stands on higher ground west of the main hall. Its lower storey is enclosed in a flared skirt (Hakamagoshi), and the hip-and-gable (Irimoya-zukuri) roof is covered in cypress bark (Hiwadabuki).
The Last Piece of the Rebuilding
Chomeiji lost its buildings in fighting in 1516 and rebuilt them over the following decades, beginning with the main hall in 1524. At 1608, the Chomeiji Temple Bell Tower is the youngest of the six designated buildings on the site, and the encyclopedia sees it as following the goma hall of 1606.
What makes it unusual is that the evidence of its date survives with it. The very mallet used to celebrate the raising of the frame carries the year in ink, and it is protected alongside the ridge tags. A builder's tool has been kept for four centuries as proof of age.
The bell tower was designated an Important Cultural Property on 15 June 1967, the same day as the goma hall. The encyclopedia notes that while it has little decoration, its bracket sets (Kumimono) and eaves are neatly finished in refined early modern technique.
What to Look For
Count the bays. Agency records give the Chomeiji Temple Bell Tower two bays along its length, but two bays on the east side and three on the west. The encyclopedia explains that the west side, where the striking beam hangs, was given three. Walk round both ends to compare.
The skirt that encloses the base flares outward, giving the tower a settled, stable look, and above it the cypress-bark roof reaches out in deep eaves.
Because the tower sits above the other buildings, the area around the Chomeiji Bell Tower looks out over the roofs of the main hall and Sanbutsudo, with the shingled pagoda among the bark-roofed halls.
Visiting the Chomeiji Temple Bell Tower
The tower is viewed from outside. The precinct is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with no admission fee. No official information on whether visitors may ring the bell could be found; follow notices on site or ask the temple (0748-33-0031).
It is reached by walking west from the front of the main hall and climbing a short way. No notice of displays of the mallet or ridge tags was found, and there are no published rules on photography, so follow any signs. Directions to the temple are on the Chomeiji Temple page.
Q&A
- When was the Chomeiji Temple Bell Tower built?
- In 1608, during the Momoyama period. The date is written in ink on the mallet used at the ridge-raising.
- When was the Chomeiji Temple Bell Tower designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On 15 June 1967, the same day as the goma hall. The mallet and two ridge tags are designated with it.
- What is unusual about the layout of the Chomeiji Bell Tower?
- It is two bays long but two bays deep on the east and three on the west; the west side, with the striking beam, has the extra bay.
- Can visitors ring the bell at the Chomeiji Temple Bell Tower?
- No official information could be found. Follow notices on site or ask the temple.
- Where is the Chomeiji Temple Bell Tower in the precinct?
- On higher ground west of the main hall. The precinct is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., free.
Basic Information
| Name | Chomeiji Temple Bell Tower (長命寺鐘楼) |
|---|---|
| Location | Chomeiji-cho, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | 15 June 1967 (Showa 42) |
| Quantity | 1 building (with 1 ridge-raising mallet and 2 ridge tags) |
| Dimensions | 2 bays long; 2 bays deep on the east, 3 on the west; skirted base, hip-and-gable roof, cypress bark |
| Owner | Chomeiji Temple |
| Public Access | Exterior open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., free; no display of attached items announced |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Chomeiji Bell Tower (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1406
- National Diet Library Collaborative Reference Database, quoting the Shiga Prefecture encyclopedia (Japanese)
- https://crd.ndl.go.jp/reference/detail?page=ref_view&id=1000102778
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Chomeiji Goma Hall (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1407
- Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage Association: Temple No. 31 Chomeiji (Japanese)
- https://saikoku33.gr.jp/place/31
Last verified: 2026.10.05
