Konpon Daito (Great Fundamental Pagoda)
The Konpon Daito is the tallest building in Koyasan.
After Kobo Daishi Kukai was granted the use of Koyasan by Emperor Saga in 816, he decided to build the first monastic complex entirely dedicated to the teaching and practice of Esoteric Buddhism.
He planned to construct two large two-storied pagodas diagonally behind
the Kondo in the eastern and western directions.
Plans called for the Konpon Daito to be about 48.5m high, and because of its great size it was finally completed around 876, over 40 years after Kobo Daishi entered into eternal meditation.
In later centuries the Konpon Daito was destroyed in fires caused by lightning
strikes five times, and rebuilt each time.
After the great fire of 1843, only the foundation stones remained. The existing building was rebuilt in 1937.
Architecturally, the Konpon Daito is classified as an early form of the
two-storied pagoda.
The body of the pagoda is circular, with a square lower storey with and
attached pent roof and walls.
The majestic Konpon Daito is today exactly as it was when it was first
constructed, and is known as a symbol of Koyasan (Mt. Koya).
TOP PAGE 観光カレンダー
TOP PAGE 观光最佳时期