[Gojunoto: The Five-storied Pagoda]
In Japan, Gojunoto means the temple of the five roof. Each roof has its meaning.
From the lower to the upper roof which means, land (foundation), water (the body), fire(the headdress that protect head), wind (pagoda finial) and space (jewel). These are the represent of the five worlds (five thoughts) and the vision of the universe based on the Buddhist thinking.
Kyoto’s Daigoji and Nara’s Kofukji are the well-known Gojunoto. There are 11 wooden-Gojunoto that consider as the national treasures in Japan. In these 11 wooden-Gojunoto which remains the longest history is Horyuji. It was built in the year of 607, and it is the oldest wooden architecture in Japan.
Gojunoto is the architecture with a high constructure skill and it is able to endurance the disaster and the earthquake through 1300 years. This is how Japan is so proud of. Gojunoto’s heroic figure will definitely continue as a protector of Japanese history.
