“宝箧印经塔”与吴越国对日文化交流

Baoqieyinjing Pagoda and Cultural Exchanges Between the Kingdom of Wuyue and Japan

small Baoqieyinjing Pagodas were built by Qian Chu, the king of Wuyue in the Five Dynasties Period, following King Asoka who had had 84 000 pogodas constructed in India. One such pagoda built by King Qian was unearthed from the underground palace of Leifeng Pagoda not long ago. Although there was no state to state relation between Wuyue and Japan, people to people relations went on frequently. Quite a few Baoqieyinjing Pagodas were brought to Japan by Wuyue businessmen and Japanese Buddhist monks. While these Pagodas from China were well kept in Japan, Japanese styled Baoqieyinjing Pagodas were developed thanks to the integration of characteristics of Chinese Buddhist art into Japanese culture.