Stone Pillar (Sekidō): Tachikawa's Only National Treasure at Fusai-ji Temple

Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood of Tachikawa City in western Tokyo, Fusai-ji Temple (普済寺) harbors a remarkable secret: the only National Treasure in all of Tachikawa. The Six-sided Stone Pillar, known in Japanese as Rokumen Sekidō (六面石幢), stands over two meters tall within a protective shelter in the temple grounds. Created in 1361 during the turbulent Nanbokuchō period, this extraordinary stone monument features exquisitely carved Buddhist guardian deities and represents one of the finest examples of medieval Japanese stone art in existence.

What Is a Sekidō?

The term "sekidō" (石幢) refers to a stone monument modeled after a Buddhist ceremonial banner called a "dō" (幢). In Buddhist practice, these banners were decorative textile hangings suspended from a polygonal canopy — typically square, hexagonal, or octagonal — used to adorn and sanctify sacred spaces. Over time, artisans began recreating these forms in stone, producing permanent monuments that served both devotional and memorial purposes.

While stone pillar monuments of this type are found in China (often carved from white marble), examples in Japan are relatively rare and date primarily to the medieval period. The Fusai-ji Sekidō is widely recognized as one of the finest and most representative stone pillars in the entire country, making it an exceptionally important artifact for understanding Japanese medieval stone sculpture and Buddhist art traditions.

A Masterpiece of Nanbokuchō Stone Carving

The Six-sided Stone Pillar at Fusai-ji stands at a total height of approximately 204.5 centimeters. It is constructed from six panels of chlorite schist (ryokudeihenseki/緑泥片岩), each measuring roughly 166 cm tall by 42 cm wide, arranged in a hexagonal column. The panels rest upon a hexagonal stone base, and atop them sit layers of cap stones (kasaishi), a tuff flower-shaped receptacle, and a jewel-shaped finial (hōju) — the latter believed to be a later replacement.

Each of the six stone panels bears a beautifully carved relief sculpture of a Buddhist guardian deity. Four panels depict the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō): Jikokuten (Guardian of the East), Zōchōten (Guardian of the South), Kōmokuten (Guardian of the West), and Tamonten (Guardian of the North). The remaining two panels portray the Niō (Kongō Rikishi), the fierce protector figures commonly seen guarding temple gates — one with mouth open (A-gyō) and one with mouth closed (Un-gyō).

The arrangement of these figures was carefully considered in relation to the cardinal directions. The two Niō guardians are positioned on the southeast-facing panels, while each of the Four Heavenly Kings occupies the panel corresponding to the direction they traditionally protect. This directional awareness speaks to the deep theological intent behind the monument's creation.

While the faces of the figures have been eroded over the centuries, the lower portions — particularly the flowing drapery of the robes — remain remarkably crisp and vivid. Each deity holds their traditional attributes: Jikokuten and Zōchōten grasp weapons, Kōmokuten holds a scroll and brush, and Tamonten carries a miniature pagoda. Surrounding details such as circular halos, rock pedestals, and cascading sacred jewels (shippō) above each figure are also well preserved.

Why Was This Stone Pillar Designated a National Treasure?

The Six-sided Stone Pillar was first designated a National Treasure (under the pre-war system) in 1913, during the Taishō era. After World War II, when Japan's cultural properties protection system was overhauled, it was re-designated as a National Treasure in 1953 under the new Cultural Properties Protection Act — a testament to its enduring cultural significance.

Several factors contribute to its exceptional status. The inscription carved alongside the Kōmokuten figure reads: "Enbun 6, Kanoto-Ushi, July 6, donor Shōryō, carved by Dōen" (延文六年辛丑七月六日施財性了立道円刻). This inscription precisely dates the monument to July 6, 1361, and identifies both its patron (Shōryō, believed to be a disciple of the temple's founding priest Butsugan Kashū) and its sculptor (Dōen).

The pillar holds a unique distinction as the most recently created artifact in the National Treasure category of archaeological materials (kōko shiryō). Its artistic quality, historical documentation through the inscription, and its status as the most representative stone pillar monument in Japan all contributed to its designation. Only a handful of comparable examples exist, such as those at Daishō-ji Temple in Ogawa, Saitama Prefecture, making the Fusai-ji pillar all the more precious.

Fusai-ji Temple: A Zen Temple with Samurai Roots

Fusai-ji Temple (formally Genbuzan Fusai-ji / 玄武山普済寺) is a Rinzai Zen temple belonging to the Kenchō-ji school. It was founded during the Bunna era (1352–1356) by the local feudal lord Tachikawa Munetsune, with the Zen monk Butsugan Kashū serving as founding abbot. The temple's principal image is a Sacred Kannon (Shō Kannon Bosatsu).

The temple site is historically significant beyond the stone pillar itself. It is believed to occupy the former residential compound (yakata) of the Tachikawa clan, a branch of the powerful Musashi Shichitō (Seven Warrior Bands of Musashi). The Tachikawa clan wielded considerable influence in the region during the medieval period, and their patronage enabled the temple to flourish as a center of Zen Buddhism and culture. Between 1363 and 1400, the temple even served as a publishing house, producing printed editions of the "Five Great Mahāyāna Sūtras" (Gobu Daijō Kyō).

The temple's history has not been without hardship. In 1995, a devastating fire destroyed the main hall and many precious artifacts, including a statue of the founding abbot Butsugan Kashū that had contained an inscription mentioning Shōryō — the very same patron named on the stone pillar. The stone pillar survived the fire because it stood independently in the grounds, separate from the temple buildings. The current main hall and garden were painstakingly reconstructed over the following decade.

Visiting the Stone Pillar: What to Expect

The Six-sided Stone Pillar is housed within a protective structure on the temple grounds. Originally placed in a concrete shelter built in 1954, the pillar underwent conservation work and relocation to a new purpose-built storage facility starting in 2020. A new hexagonal display building has been constructed specifically for the stone pillar's preservation and viewing.

Visitors should note that the stone pillar has historically been available for special public viewings during events such as Tokyo Cultural Heritage Week (東京文化財ウィーク), typically held in autumn. As viewing conditions may vary depending on ongoing preservation work and facility updates, it is strongly recommended to check with the temple or the Tachikawa City Board of Education before visiting.

For those unable to view the original, a full-scale replica of the Six-sided Stone Pillar is on permanent display at the Tachikawa City Museum of History and Folklore (立川市歴史民俗資料館), offering an excellent opportunity to appreciate the monument's form and carved details up close.

The temple grounds themselves are well worth a visit. The beautifully restored main hall, serene Zen garden, and remnants of medieval earthworks from the Tachikawa clan's fortified residence create a peaceful atmosphere that transports visitors back to the era when samurai and Zen monks shaped the cultural landscape of the Musashi plain.

Highlights and Points of Interest

• Examine the relief carvings of the Four Heavenly Kings and Niō guardians — notice how the lower portions of the drapery remain sharp and expressive despite over 660 years of weathering.
• Look for the dated inscription (1361) on the panel depicting Kōmokuten, which provides rare documentation of medieval stone carving patronage.
• Appreciate the thoughtful directional arrangement of the guardian deities, reflecting deep Buddhist cosmological principles.
• Explore the reconstructed temple grounds and garden, rebuilt after the tragic 1995 fire, as an example of resilience and dedication to cultural preservation.
• Visit the Tachikawa City Museum of History and Folklore to see the full-scale replica and learn more about the region's medieval history.

Nearby Attractions

Fusai-ji Temple is located in the Shibasaki district of Tachikawa, within easy reach of several other notable sites. The Tachikawa City Museum of History and Folklore is nearby and provides excellent context for the stone pillar with its full-scale replica and exhibits on local history. Suwa Shrine, passed along the walking route from Tachikawa Station, is a long-established local shrine worth a brief stop.

For those looking to extend their visit, the Showa Kinen Park (Showa Memorial Park), one of Tokyo's largest and most beautiful public parks, is just a short distance from Tachikawa Station. The park offers seasonal flower displays, expansive gardens, and cycling paths — a perfect complement to a morning of cultural exploration. The vibrant commercial areas around Tachikawa Station also offer extensive dining and shopping options.