A Bell Tower with Local Carving
The Manpukuji Temple Bell Tower (萬福寺鐘楼) is an open bell tower of the late Edo period in Nobuno, Nakacho, Naka District, Tokushima Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on February 9, 2005 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a timber structure with a tiled roof and an area of 8.7 square metres; registration number 36-0051.
A Bell Tower on Inward-Leaning Posts
The Manpukuji Temple Bell Tower stands south-west of the main hall: an open, one-bay-square tower with double-layered close-set rafters and a hip-and-gable roof of full tiles (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Square posts lean slightly inward and are tied by tie beams at several levels and a plate, carrying three-part brackets with frog-leg struts between them.
The frog-leg struts and carved beam ends have an unusual local form, while the details of their carved patterns show features of the mid-18th century (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes its local-style frog-leg struts and beam ends with mid-18th-century details, and registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
Look for the distinctive frog-leg struts and beam ends and the inward-leaning posts (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Manpukuji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found. The main hall, guardian shrine, bell tower and storehouse are introduced together on the Manpukuji Temple page.
Q&A
- When was the bell tower built?
- In the late Edo period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What kind of tower is it?
- An open one-bay tower with a tiled hip-and-gable roof.
- What about its posts?
- Square posts set leaning slightly inward.
- What about its carving?
- Local in form, with mid-18th-century details.
- When was the Manpukuji Temple Bell Tower registered?
- On February 9, 2005 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Manpukuji Temple Bell Tower (萬福寺鐘楼) |
|---|---|
| Location | 20 Nobuno, Nakacho, Naka District, Tokushima Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2005/02/09 (Heisei 17) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, tiled roof, 8.7 m² |
| Owner | Manpukuji Temple (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Manpukuji Temple Bell Tower (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00004637
Last verified: 2026.10.23
