The pagoda at Myo-o-in, Hiroshima

This pagoda, 29.1 meters high, was completed in 1348 and its Shin-bashira heart pillar stands from the attic of the first floor, the style invented in the 12th century and first employed on the three storied pagodas. The one at Kaijusen-ji located on the outskirts of Kyoto is the first five storied pagoda built in this style in 1214. The other three made in the same style I know are those at Itsukushima-jinja (Hiroshima, 1407), Haguro-san (Yamagata, 1377), and Saisho-in (Aomori, 1666). They all have a veranda around the first level and are painted except the one at Haguro-san. They are relatively short; the one at Kaijusen-ji is 17.7 meters of height, the second shortest five storied pagoda of the 22 traditional ones.

This pagoda at Myo-o-in retains its colors well, partly thanks to the rather dry local climate but greatly due to people’s care.

Both the main hall and the pagoda are national treasures. Not a busy tourist destination but you’ll appreciate the architecture if you study a little bit about Japanese traditional styles and designs in advance.

When I was there with my fellow interpreter, we both got a doughnut and a cup of tea from the wife of the junior priest and the faithful cleaning up the precincts. It was yum!