The Five-storied Pagoda was originally constructed in 1407, and it was
restored in 1533.
The main deity enshrined here is the Buddha of Medicine, accompanied by the
Buddhist saints Fugen and Monju.
The Buddhist images symbolizing the deity and the saints were removed in the
early Meiji era.
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Five-Story Pagoda from Machiya St.
The pagoda as a whole was constructed in Japanese style as evidenced by
the ornamental caps of the railing posts as well as in the placement of
the rafters.
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However, Chinese influence can also be seen in such parts as the top
of the wooden pillars supporting the eaves, as well as in the tails of
the rafters.
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Elaborate Giboshi decorations (decorations resembling leek flowers)
are found on the railing posts of the first story, while Gyaku-ren and
Kaika-ren decorations (resembling lotus flowers) are placed on the
railing posts from the second story to the fifth.
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When major repair work was carried out in 1945, the structure was
restored to its original style by coating it with red lacquer.
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Five-Story Pagoda from Tonooka Hill.
Tonooka Hill was the site of Sue Harukata Battle Camp in the Battle of
Itsukushima.
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The dragon whisker pine (Ryuzen-no-matsu).
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Five-Story Pagoda from Senjokaku Pavilion.
The interior of the pagoda is decorated with auspicious motifs such as a
dragon, lotus flowers and the Shingon Hasso sutra painted on the
ceiling, the Raigo Wall (the special name for the wall behind the Image
of Buddha) and the rest of the interior wooden walls.
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One of the unique structural features is the central pillar of the
pagoda, which extends to the peak of the roof only from the second
story - instead of the foundation.
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The names of donors have been carved on each of the sixteen pillars of
the first story. Fourteen of these donors were women.
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See also
Source
Location
