Risshakuji Three-Storied Miniature Pagoda

A Miniature Pagoda in a Rock Cave

The Risshakuji Three-Storied Miniature Pagoda (立石寺三重小塔) is a timber three-storied pagoda 2.5 metres high, made around 1519 and set in a cave cut into the cliff at the subtemple Kezoin near the summit of the Okunoin of Hojusan Risshakuji (Yamadera) at Yamadera, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture. It was designated an Important Cultural Property on July 19, 1952 (Yamagata Prefecture, Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a one-bay three-storied pagoda with a shingled roof; owned by Risshakuji.

A Small Pagoda in a Cave

According to Yamagata Prefecture, the pagoda stands in a south-facing cave cut into the rock face on the right of the Kezoin precinct. Its history is unknown, but an inscription of 1519 on the finial suggests it was made around then.

Risshakuji calls it Japan's smallest three-storied pagoda, housing a statue of Dainichi as its principal image.

Why It Is an Important Cultural Property

The Risshakuji Three-Storied Miniature Pagoda was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1952. Yamagata Prefecture describes it as a finely crafted miniature in a blend of the traditional Japanese style and the ornate Zen style.

What to Look For

Though only one bay square, the Risshakuji Three-Storied Miniature Pagoda has three-stepped bracket sets on all four sides of every storey, a paneled door at the front, horizontal boards on the other sides and a shingled roof (Yamagata Prefecture).

Built like stacked boxes, it is painted all over and its main parts are decorated with gilt metal fittings (Yamagata Prefecture). It can be seen in its cave at Kezoin, on the stone steps up to the Okunoin.

Visiting Risshakuji

According to Risshakuji, admission is 500 yen for adults (junior high and up) and 200 yen for children aged four and over, cash only. Hours vary by season: 8:00 to 16:00 from April to September and 8:00 to 15:30 in October and November. More than 800 stone steps lead from the trailhead to the Okunoin, about an hour and a half up and down (Risshakuji, Yamadera Tourist Association).

The Risshakuji Three-Storied Miniature Pagoda is at 4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata City. See the group page Risshakuji (Yamadera) for both of the temple's Important Cultural Property buildings.