Structure and Artistic Design
The pagoda is made from pyroxene andesite and stands approximately 1.85 meters high. It consists of four main stone components: the finial, roof section, three-story tower body, and foundation stone.
The three-story tower body was carved from a single block of stone. Rising vertically from its foundation, it has a solid and dignified appearance.
The middle and upper sections are shaped with a slightly outward-sloping profile, creating a distinctive form that combines stability with a sense of elegance. Although the monument is relatively small, its carefully considered proportions give it a strong visual presence.
Traces of Ancient Color and Religious Use
Traces of red pigment remain on the tower body, while the foundation and roof stones are believed to have once been marked with black ink. These traces suggest that the monument was originally more colorful than it appears today.
A circular opening at the upper part of the tower body is thought to have been used to contain Buddhist scriptures. This feature indicates that the monument was not simply a memorial stone but was created as an object of Buddhist devotion.
The combination of carved stone, religious inscriptions, and a space for sacred scriptures gives the monument exceptional historical value.
The Prayers Carved into the Inscription
A total of 45 characters are carved across the four sides of the three-story tower body. The inscription is read clockwise beginning from the southern face of the upper section.
Although brief, the inscription explains the purpose of the monument and the prayers associated with its construction. It states that Buddhist scriptures, generally understood to refer to the Lotus Sutra, were enshrined and that the resulting religious merit was dedicated to the imperial court, Shinto deities, parents, and all living beings.
A Prayer for the Salvation of All Beings
One particularly moving aspect of the inscription is its prayer for beings suffering in the deepest realms of Buddhist hell. It expresses the wish that they might be saved from endless suffering, attain lasting peace, and eventually reach the other shore of enlightenment.
This message provides an important glimpse into the Buddhist worldview of the time. It also conveys the sincere concern that people in the early Heian period held for the well-being of others, including those beyond their own immediate community.
The monk Dorin, who erected the monument, is rarely mentioned in other historical sources. Through this stone monument, however, his name and religious aspirations have survived for more than twelve centuries.
Discovery and Cultural Heritage Protection
The Yamakami Multiple-Story Pagoda is said to have been discovered accidentally when the surrounding area was being cleared and cultivated between the Meiji period and the early Showa period.
Its inscription was identified in the early Showa period, after which researchers began to investigate the monument more closely. Its exceptional historical and cultural significance gradually became recognized.
In 1943, the monument was designated as a former National Treasure under Japan’s prewar cultural-property system. Following the introduction of the current cultural-property protection system, it has been preserved as an Important Cultural Property.
Today, the pagoda is protected inside a small shelter. Visitors can view it from outside and appreciate its form and inscriptions in a quiet setting.
Yamakami Castle Ruins Park: A Sengoku-Era Landscape
The area surrounding the pagoda contains the remains of Yamakami Castle, a hilltop fortress dating from Japan’s Sengoku period. The castle grounds extended approximately 650 meters from north to south and 220 meters from east to west.
The castle was characterized by a series of fortified compounds arranged along a north-south ridge and separated by moats. This defensive layout is known as a parallel compound arrangement.
The castle is believed to have existed by around the middle of the 15th century. During the Sengoku period, it became involved in struggles for control of the Kanto region, including conflicts involving the Uesugi and Later Hojo clans.
After the fall of Odawara Castle in 1590, Yamakami Castle was abandoned. Today, its remains have been incorporated into Yamakami Castle Ruins Park, where visitors can explore the former castle landscape while enjoying a peaceful natural environment.
Flowers Around the Former Castle Moats
The park contains lawns, playground equipment, gardens, and walking paths. The former dry moats, once part of the castle’s defensive system, now form part of a pleasant walking environment.
Seasonal flowers add another dimension to the historic site. Wintersweet and camellias bloom during the colder months, while hydrangeas come into season in early summer.
In particular, the hydrangeas planted around the old dry moats create a beautiful scene during Japan’s rainy season. The transformation of a former military defense into a peaceful flower-lined path is a striking example of how historical landscapes can be enjoyed in the present day.
Zen Castle Ruins: Another Sengoku-Era Site
Another castle site in the surrounding region is Zen Castle in Kasukawa-cho, Maebashi City. This hilltop castle was built between the Muromachi and Sengoku periods and became involved in conflicts among the Uesugi, Hojo, and Takeda clans.
Zen Castle is particularly associated with the battle known as the “bare-handed assault on Zen Castle”, which took place in 1580. The castle is said to have fallen following a counterattack by the forces of Takeda Katsuyori.
Today, the Honmaru and Ninomaru areas are preserved as a historic park. The nearby Kasukawa History and Folklore Museum provides additional opportunities to learn about the area’s past.
Visiting Zen Castle together with Yamakami Castle offers travelers a broader understanding of the military history that unfolded along the southern foothills of Mount Akagi during Japan’s turbulent Sengoku period.
Chikato Shrine and the History of Tsukida
Travelers with more time can continue to Chikato Shrine in Tsukida, Kasukawa-cho, Maebashi City. The shrine has long been worshipped as the principal guardian shrine of the local community and preserves traditions reflecting the historical relationship between Buddhism and Shinto.
Traditional events are still held at the shrine, including the Okawadachi ritual in the seventh month of the traditional lunar calendar. The area is also known for its traditional lion dance, which is designated as a Gunma Prefectural Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
The Tsukida Burial Mounds
The surrounding area is also home to the Tsukida Kofun Burial Mounds. Archaeological remains indicate that some of these burial mounds were constructed between the late 6th and 7th centuries.
These sites add another layer to the region’s historical landscape. Within a relatively compact area, visitors can encounter traces of ancient burial practices, early Buddhist faith, medieval religious traditions, Sengoku-period warfare, and later local culture.
A Quiet Journey Through More Than 1,200 Years of History
The Yamakami Multiple-Story Pagoda and its surrounding area offer an unusual opportunity to explore several different periods of Japanese history in one journey.
The stone pagoda preserves the religious beliefs of the early Heian period, while the nearby castle ruins recall the conflicts of the Sengoku era. Chikato Shrine continues local religious traditions, and the ancient burial mounds provide evidence of communities that lived in the area centuries before the pagoda was built.
At the same time, the peaceful natural landscape of the southern foothills of Mount Akagi provides a relaxing setting for exploring these historical sites. Walking across the quiet plateau and viewing the ancient stone monument can make the passage of time feel surprisingly tangible.
A Place to Encounter the Prayers of Ancient Japan
For overseas visitors interested in Japanese history and religion, the Yamakami Multiple-Story Pagoda offers something quite different from Japan’s better-known temples and shrines.
There is no large temple complex or monumental tourist facility here. Instead, the experience centers on a single stone monument that has survived for more than twelve centuries. Its inscription preserves a message of compassion and prayers for the well-being of the imperial court, deities, family members, and all living beings.
Combined with a visit to Yamakami Castle Ruins Park, the nearby castle sites, and Chikato Shrine, the pagoda becomes part of a fascinating historical journey through the ancient, medieval, and early modern landscapes of the Akagi foothills.
Take time to observe the stonework, imagine the people who created the monument in 801, and appreciate the quiet surroundings. The Yamakami Multiple-Story Pagoda is a small but remarkably powerful reminder that the hopes and prayers of people who lived more than 1,200 years ago can still be encountered in the landscape of modern Japan.