soutou　層塔

KEY WORD :　architecture / buildings & structures

A generic name for a pagoda (Sk: stupa) which has several roofs. Invariably they have an odd number of roofs. Most common among large, wooden pagodas are three-storied pagodas *sanjuu-no-tou 三重塔 and five-storied pagodas *gojuu-no-tou 五重塔, while stone pagodas *sekitou 石塔 may also include seven, nine and even 13 stories. Among the several varieties of stone pagodas, sot are the oldest with the earliest extent example dating from the early Nara period. Soutou usually have a low rectangular stone base *kiso 基礎 surmounted by a larger square body stone *toushin 塔身 often bearing an image of the Buddha or a Sanskrit syllable. Rising above the base and body are the multiple square roofs which make up the finial or *sourin 相輪. Miniature soutou were frequently used in gardens from the early Edo period to add to the picturesque quality of the garden, their scale suggesting that the garden is in fact a small-scale landscape. Among the soutou used in gardens, many have an open arched base and the next story has a square or arched opening to suggest the windows in full-scale Chinese pagodas. These garden soutou are often called kouraitou 高麗塔 (Korean towers) garden. By carving an opening into the sides of a miniature soutou it may be made into a type of stone lantern ishidourou 石灯籠 called toudourou 塔灯籠 (see *tourou 灯籠). The toushin and roof of soutou may be used for *shihoubutsu chouzubachi 四方仏手水鉢 and kasagata 笠形 (umbrella shaped) types of water basins *mitatemono chouzubachi 見立物手水鉢.

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