Sites of Kasuga East and West Pagodas
West pagoda site
(viewed from the back of the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall)
East pagoda site (viewed from the back-right of the Ritual Bronzes Gallery)
The north area of the first Torii gate in the Kasuga Taisha Shrine is the historical sites where the east and west pagodas once constructed. At present, the foundation stones of the original corridor and gate remain along the south side of the Ritual Bronzes Gallery of the Museum. The west pagoda was established by the regent Fujiwara no Tadazane in 1116 (Eikyū 4) and was also referred to as the “Denka no Gotō” (The Lord’s Pagoda); the east pagoda was established by Emperor Toba in 1140 (Hōen 6) and was also referred to as the “In no Gotō” (Retired Emperor’s Pagoda).
The pagodas were burned in 1180 (Jishō 4) when Taira no Shigehira destroyed by fire. They were later rebuilt, but burned again by the lightning in 1411 (Ōei 18) and never rebuilt again afterwards.
The proportion of both pagodas was nearly same as the five-storied pagoda in the Kōfuku-ji Temple. It is thought that a single side of the first story was approximately 8.6 meters wide and the entire height approximately 50 meters. In addition, there was a double corridor added to the south front of both pagodas with a towering gate in the center. The east, west, and north sides were surrounded by a wall approximately 70-80 meters in length. The original appearance of the pagodas can be seen in such paintings as the Kasuga Miya Mandala.
Kasuga Shaji Mandala (detail), Nara National Museum
The east pagoda can be seen in the back, the west tower in the foreground, and the first Torii gate of the Kasuga Shrine in the lower right.
