It is said that a hokyoin-to pagoda is a simplified imitation of the 84,000 pagodas which Qian Chu, the King of Wuyue in China, built in his various territories hoping for prolongation of his life.
中国の呉越王銭弘俶（せんこうしゅく）が延命を願って、諸国に立てた8万4千塔の形をまねて簡略化したものだとされている。