As I wrote three weeks ago, the oldest type of Japanese bell tower (shoro) was the hakamagoshi, a tower where the bell is located at the top floor, invisible from outside. Around 1200, a new type of structure was developed, without walls and with the bell simply suspended in the middle. This construction, called fukihanachi, became the most popular bell tower and today can be seen in almost every temple. However, although simple, the fukihanachi is not without architectural merit: just take a look at this beautiful bell tower from the Todai-ji Temple in Nara…

Bell Tower, Tōdai-ji Temple, Nara

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Paper lanterns night view at Yasaka shrine, Kyoto