Honeycomb-like Weathering of Akasaki Pagoda, a Designated Cultural Property in Tottori Prefecture, Japan

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  • 〔報文〕鳥取県・花見潟墓地赤碕塔に見られるハニカム状風化

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Akasaki Pagoda is a stone pagoda about 3m high located in the Hanamigata Cemetery of Kotoura town,Tottori Prefecture,Japan.Made of tuff,the Pagoda was built about 650 years ago,and has been standing there since then.The southwest side of the main body of the Akasaki Pagoda is severely weathered and shows a typical honeycomb structure. The maximum depth of erosion is estimated to be about 11cm.Such a structure is not observed on the northeast side of the Pagoda.Moreover,white salts composed of gypsum are formed inside the honeycomb holes. It is considered that these honeycombs were formed due tonatural reasons, mainly salt weathering. Comparison between the present and past conditions of the honeycombs, based on old photographs, leads to the conclusion that the honeycombs are still growing continuously. Because the Hanamigata Cemetery has been continuously managed since medieval time, trees or grasses have not existed near the Pagoda. For this reason, wind containing sea splash and solar radiation has easily been supplied to the Pagoda.The crystallization of the salts,e.g.gypsum,on the southwest side of the main body of the Pagoda is probably due to such a severe condition. In order to reduce further weathering of this Pagoda,installing a shelter for the Pagoda to reduce wind and solar radiation may be effective.However,discussion from the viewpoint of landscape and authenticity will be required before putting this measure to practice.

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