KÅfuku-ji
history,is a Buddhist temple in the city of Nara, in Nara prefecture, Japan. The temple is the headquarter of the HossÅ school in Japan.
History
KÅfuku-ji has its origin as a temple that was established in 669 by Kagami-no-Åkimi (), the wife of Fujiwara no Kamatari, wishing for her husbandsâs recovery from illness. Its original site was in Yamashina, Yamashiro Province (present-day Kyoto). In 672, the temple was moved to Fujiwara-kyÅ, the first artificially planned capital in Japan, then again in 710, moved to its current place, on the east side of the newly constructed capital, HeijÅ-kyÅ, today's Nara.
KÅfuku-ji was the Fujiwara's tutelary temple, and enjoyed as much prosperty, and as long as the family did. The temple was not only an important center for the Buddhist religion, but also retained influence over the imperial government, and even by "aggressive means" in some casesJohn Bowring, pp.218-219. When many of the Nanto Shichi Daiji such as TÅdai-ji -declined after the move of capital to Heian-kyÅ (Kyoto), KÅfuku-ji kept its significance because of its connection to the Fujiwara. The temple was damaged and destroyed by civil wars and fires many times, and was rebuilt as many times as well, although finally some of the important buildings, such as two of the three golden halls, the nandaimon, chÅ«mon and the corridor were never reconstructed and are missing today.
Architectures and treasures
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KÅfuku-ji, along with several Buddhist temples, Kasuga Taisha, the remains of the HeijÅ Palace, and other sites in Nara, received the distinction of being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name: "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara."
The followings are some of the temple's buildings and treasures of note.
- , the remaining of the three golden halls (National Treasure)
- (National Treasure)
- (National Treasure)
- (National Treasure)
- , Site No.9 of Saigoku 33 Pilgrimage (Important Cultural Property)
- (Statue) The Devas of the Eight Classes, including dry-lacquer Ashura (National Treasure)
- (Statue) The Ten Great Disciples (National Treasure)
- (Statue) Thousand-armed Kannon (National Treasure)
- (Statue) attributed to KÅkei, is housed in Nan'endÅ (National Treasure)
Gallery
- List of National Treasures of Japan (temples)
- List of National Treasures of Japan (archaeological materials)
- List of National Treasures of Japan (sculptures)
- List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts-others)
- For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.