Son Tay receives model of restoring On pagoda in Duong Lam ancient village

The model was presented by Professor, Architect Ejima Akiyoshi - majoring in Architecture and Heritage Conservation, former Guest Researcher, International Cultural Research Institute, Showa Women's University, Japan, former President of Ejima Architectural Office (Saga, Japan).

Professor, Architect Ejima Akiyoshi presents the model of On Pagoda to Son Tay ward. *Photo: Thu Trang*

On Pagoda, also known as On Hoa Tu, is located about 200m from Mong Phu village gate. This is a pagoda with unique features, such as: No statues, located in the middle of a field, the pagoda's festival is a wrestling festival, taking place on the 3rd of the 3rd lunar month every year.

In 2008, On Pagoda received funding from the State for restoration and embellishment. During the restoration process, the pagoda received valuable assistance and advice from experts and volunteers from the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Vietnam (JICA). After the restoration was completed, On Pagoda was honored by the UNESCO Asia Pacific Committee with an award as a typical work preserved with traditional materials.

Professor Ejima reconstructs the model of On Pagoda. *Photo: Thu Trang*

The restoration process and receiving the international award have had a great contribution from Professor, Architect Ejima Akiyoshi. In 2024-2025, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Duong Lam ancient village being recognized as a national monument, Professor Ejima continued to restore the model of On Pagoda (On Hoa Tu) at a scale of 1/10 to present to the people of Duong Lam and the People's Committee of Son Tay ward.

The model is made from precious Japanese Lily wood and Southeast Asian Ramin wood, reproducing traditional architectural details, each component can be disassembled for training purposes, model parameters: 1/10 scale; 50cm high, 90cm wide, 100cm deep. Materials include: Hinoki Lily wood (Japan) for the main frame; parasol wood for the walls; ash wood for the tiles. All materials are from Japan. After completion and display, the On Pagoda model will become a unique tourist attraction, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists and researchers.

Receiving the model of On Pagoda restoration, Vice Chairman of Son Tay Ward People's Committee Ha Ngoc Quan sincerely thanked Professor, Architect Ejima for his valuable contributions in researching, restoring and promoting the value of the relic. He emphasized that the On Pagoda model is a valuable cultural gift, not only contributing to promoting the architectural heritage of Duong Lam, but also demonstrating the friendship and close connection between Vietnam and Japan.

On this occasion, the People's Committee of Son Tay Ward awarded a Certificate of Merit to Mr. Ejima Akiyoshi for his achievements in restoring the On Pagoda model and preserving and developing ancient village tourism in Duong Lam.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/son-tay-tiep-nhan-mo-hinh-phuc-dung-chua-on-tai-lang-co-duong-lam-715002.html