North Octagonal Hall

 This is one of the two oldest buildings of the Koufukuji Temple.

Only this building and 3 story pagoda survived the fires.

This North Octagonal Hall was constructed in the beginning of 13 century, 1210.

Originally, it was built in the year of 721. 

The Emperor Gensho built this octagonal hall to pray for the repose of the soul of Fujiwara-no-Fuhito.

However it was burnt in the two civil fires in 1049 and 1180.

In this hall, the gild wooden statue of Miroku Nyorai was enshrined.

This seated Miroku Nyorai was carved by the famous sculptor Unkei in 1212.

It is one of his masterpiece.

There also two wooden statues of Bodhisattva Asanga, Vasubandhu and Four Deva Kings.

All of these images are registered as National Treasures.

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