A Tahoto of 1223 Founded by Hojo Masako's Temple
The Kongo Sanmaiin Temple Tahoto Pagoda (金剛三昧院多宝塔) is one of the two oldest surviving tahoto pagodas of 1223 in Koyasan, Koya Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, and was designated a National Treasure on November 22, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a three-bay tahoto pagoda with a cypress-bark roof; designation number 00097.
The Agency record also gives an earlier designation date of April 5, 1899, the date of its designation under the former law.
The Pagoda of a Temple Linked to Hojo Masako
According to the Agency, Kongo Sanmaiin began as the Zenjoin, founded in 1211 by Hojo Masako to pray for the soul of Minamoto no Yoritomo, and took its present name in 1219. The Tahoto pagoda is said to have been built afterwards, in 1223, and its style agrees with that date.
It is a three-bay tahoto closely resembling that of Ishiyamadera, a National Treasure (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It differs in some points: the lower roof is relatively low, the brackets and rafters have broad chamfers, there is no head beam on top of the pillars and the veranda has no railing. Inside, the central pillar stops above the ceiling, four inner pillars carry a coffered ceiling, and the pillars, walls and rails are all painted with Buddhist images.
Why It Is a National Treasure
The Agency values it as a tahoto of the early Kamakura period, ranking with that of Ishiyamadera as the oldest surviving.
What to Look For
Look for the graceful cypress-bark roofs and the Buddhist paintings on the pillars and walls (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Kongo Sanmaiin Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found. The Tahoto pagoda, sutra repository, shrine and guest hall are introduced together on the Kongo Sanmaiin Temple page.
Q&A
- When was the pagoda built?
- In 1223, according to tradition.
- Who founded Kongo Sanmaiin?
- Hojo Masako, in 1211, for Minamoto no Yoritomo.
- Which pagoda does it resemble?
- The tahoto of Ishiyamadera.
- Why is it precious?
- With Ishiyamadera's it is the oldest surviving tahoto.
- When was the Kongo Sanmaiin Temple Tahoto Pagoda designated a National Treasure?
- On November 22, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kongo Sanmaiin Temple Tahoto Pagoda (金剛三昧院多宝塔) |
|---|---|
| Location | Koyasan, Koya Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture |
| Designation | National Treasure (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated National Treasure 1952/11/22 (Showa 27) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Three-bay tahoto, cypress bark |
| Owner | Kongo Sanmaiin Temple |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Kongo Sanmaiin Temple Tahoto Pagoda (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/2890
Last verified: 2026.10.24
