相輪
Sōrin
Sōrin (相輪) is a vertical finial on top of Japanese pagodas.
Sōrin are supported by a long shaft that goes through the center of the pagoda. The shaft is rumored to support the stability of a pagoda during earthquakes, but this is not true. Its sole purpose is to support the heavy weight of the bronze sōrin. The shaft does not always go all the way down to the ground, as they are often supported inside the pagoda by other means. This allows for usable space within the building, unlike the earliest pagodas.
— Segments
・Hōju (宝珠)
Sphere or teardrop-shaped object (shapes sacred in Buddhism, thought to repel evil and grant wishes). They can be found on top of pagoda, stone lanterns, or on top of sōrin. It also can have flames, which are called kaen hōju (火炎宝珠)
・Ryūsha (竜車)
The piece directly under the hōju
・Suien (水煙)
Four decorative metal sheets set at 90 degrees of each other and attached over the main pillar of the pagoda.
・Fūtaku (風鐸)
Small sized bells attached at the ends of the suien.
・Kurin (九輪)
The main rings around the main pillar. Despite its name, it can have only seven or eight rings.
・Ukebana (受花・請花)
Upturned lotus petals arranged in a circle around the main pillar. There are usually eight petals. Occasionally, there is a second circle of petals facing downwards.
・Fukubachi (伏鉢)
An inverted bowl just under the ukebana.
・Roban (露盤)
A base where the entire sorin rests on.
— Wooden Pagoda
The sōrin built on top of wooden pagoda are typically cast in bronze. These sōrin are built as follows, from top to bottom:
Hōju, Ryūsha, Suien, Fūtaku, Kurin, Ukebana, Fukubachi, Roban
— Stone Pagoda
The most important stone pagoda with sōrinare hōkyōintō (宝篋印塔). It is created with 5 sections, of which the sōrin is topmost. These sōrin are usually constructed in stone, but they can be made of metal or wood. These sōrin are built as follows, from top to bottom:
Hōju, Ukebana, Kurin, Ukebana, Roban
— Sōrintō
Sōrin also appear on sōrintō, a type of pagoda that is only a pole and a sōrin.
