Toshodaiji Temple

1. Saint Ganjin established a private school with chair in the 3rd year of Tenpyo-hoji Era (759). The name of Toshodaiji originates from the fact that he came from Tang (The name of China at that period) in order to teach lectures of Buddha. Compared to official temples built by a state budget, whatever it may be modest, it is well known as the temple which would keep mostly the flavor of Tenpyo Period.
2. Saint Ganjin was a priest of Daimyoji Temple in Youshu Province in China and considered one of the most respectful experts in Buddhist rules. After an entreaty of 2 Japanese student monks, he decided to go to Japan. The navigation technique being very primitive at that period, they failed 5 times in journey and finally 12 years later, in the 5th year of Tenpyo-shoho Era (753), they arrived in Japan.
3. The main building (Kondo) is a massive construction of Yosemune style and the 8 front columns give a pretty depth to the whole building. The main statue, Rushanabutsu (national treasure) was created in Tenpyo Period. The roof has been changed during Kamakura Period: it was made higher than the original and the eaves deeper. In Tenpyo Period, it had been more gentile.
4. Behind Kondo, there are a lecture hall (Kodo) transferred from Choshyu Palace in Nara, a treasure house of Azekura style, probably come from Nitta imperial family, and a bell tower, a pray hall and the remainder of a chair of Kamakura Period. You will find scarcely in other sites those beautiful buildings arranged in harmony.