(This is a reproduction of the blog I wrote on Triplelights as a guide. Since I am leaving Triplelights, I transferred this to my HP)
The oldest temple in Tokyo utilizes the most advanced technology to enhance durability
Sensouji Temple in Asakusa is the oldest temple in Tokyo. It was founded in 628 AD. At that time it was only a small hut which contained a Kannon statue found by local fishermen from the ocean. The temple gradually attracted a lot of people and became bigger and bigger. It was also appreciated by Shogun like Minamoto and Tokugawa because they won the battle after having prayed for the win here. Then Shogun supported Sensouji in return and the temple became bigger.
On the other hand Sensoji experienced a lot of disasters like fire, earthquake and the bombing during WW2 and the most of its construction were devastated several times. Thanks to the charity of many people and companies including Matsushita, now known as Panasonic, major construction was rebuilt after the 1960s. The famous Kaminarimon (Thunder gate) originally built in 941 was rebuilt in 1960.
The iconic five story pagoda built first in 942. The function of pagodas is to contain ash of Buda in the ball like golden container on the top. The five story tower, then experienced several disasters in 1000 year history. The pagoda that was rebuilt in 1648 and registered as National treasure was devastated during WW2. New pagoda was built in 1973 shifting its position from right to left of the temple. It became a symbol of Asakusa along with Kaminarimon again.
However, on March 11 2011 the great earthquake also hit Tokyo. The pagoda was partialy damaged. The ball like golden container dropped to the ground. OMG!!
Pagodas in Japan, including this one are known for using traditional earthquake resistant technology. They are loosely fixed so as to absorb the jolt of an earthquake. Therefore, most pagodas are resistant to earthquake. This kind of technology is also used in modern high-rise buildings. However, this time the earthquake was so powerful that the pagoda could not absorb the jolt fully.
Under repair (September.2016) Now
The maintenance work started in 2016 and ended on September 2017. In this maintenance work they changed the plates on the roof from ceramic to titanium. The titanium roof plate is 40% lighter and twice stronger than ceramic one. Actually Kannon hall, a huge hall for Kannon, just changed its roof plate from ceramic to titanium in October 2010 and experienced no damage during the great earthquake on March 11 2011 because of the lighter roof.
Kannondo survived the earthquake thanks to lighter titanium roof plate
At first the traditional construction technology was used in modern high-rise buildings to resist against the earthquake. This time traditional construction meets the advanced technology and gets additional sustainability. The traditional and modern technology combined protects the Japanese precious treasure.
Now we can see the new pagoda.
Having this in mind, let's observe Sensoji in Asakusa and then a skyscraper in Shinjyuku during my tour.
Tokyo skytree and the pagoda.