This temple is located in Zentsu-ji City, Kagawa, Shikoku Island and established by Kukai, the founder of Singon sect Buddhism in Japan, in 813. Kukai's temples feel quite open and friendly and he's been a great cultural hero loved by the Japanese people. Kukai's temples attract lots of pilgrims and tourists.
This pagoda was first built in the early 9th century but collapsed by gale or burned in fires total three times after its original completion. The present one is the fourth reconstruction, 45 meters high, and serves as a landmark of the temple. The previous pagoda was consumed in a fire in 1840 and the emperor announced that the pagoda be rebuilt in 1845. It was finally completed in 1902.
The Shin-bashira heart pillar is suspended and there's some space between the pillar and the Shin-so base stone. There are only several examples of this type of Shin-bashira installation. I so far confirmed five. They were all built in the 20th century or later. This is the fourh method of installing the heart pillar.
The most famous example of this type should be the one at Nikko. Nikko is so artificially colorful and sculpted that the complex including the five storied pagoda is not my cup of tea. Though the Nikko area is one of the world cultral heritage sites in Japan.
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