Three-storied pagoda of the former Tomyo-ji temple beyond the pond: Sankei-en (Yokohama)

Beyond the long drooping branches of the weeping willow tree, the beautiful three-storied pagoda can be seen atop of the height decorated with the rusty red colors of autumn leaves. It was relocated and restored here by Sankei Hara in 1914 as the central monument of his garden. 

This graceful pagoda is visible from various places of this Kaiyu-style garden (stroll garden with a central pond) and is adding essential touch to the scenery of the garden which keeps changing with the seasons.

This pagoda was transfered to Sankei-en garden from Tomyo-ji temple (Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture) and was restored as the first historic building in Sankei-en garden.

Tomyo-ji temple was an ancient esoteric temple of the Tendai sect and was originally located in the mountain along Kizugawa River. This pagoda is said to have been built in 1457 during the Muromachi period (1336-1573).

This pagoda has a style of the architecture called Wa-yo (traditional Japanese style), which is distinct from the Zenshu-yo (Zen Sect style) and Daibutsu-yo (Great Buddha style) architectures. 

Three-story pagoda of the former Tomyo-ji temple in late autumn: Sankei-en (Yokohama)

 

A stone pagoda in the woods of Tokei-ji temple

A small white stone pagoda stands still in the heart of the woods of Tokei-ji temple. This beautiful pagoda is the "Fudeduka" (i.e. "a grave of paintbrushes") of Seison Maeda (1885-1977). He is one of the most prominent painters of the modern "Nihonga" (Japanese paintings) movement. He lived in the neighborhood of this temple from 1945 to his death.

A "Fudeduka" is the Japanese traditional memorial-tower which is built to praise and memorialise a dead great teacher or artist by his or her students and persons concerned. The paintbrushes or writing-brushes ("Fude") which were used for a long time by such a teacher or artist are housed in this stone pagoda.

The paintbrushes used by Seison Maeda are housed in this beautiful 13-story white stone pagoda in the quiet woods for a tribute to his great achievement.