Byodo-in

(Source : Shane Myers Photography/shutterstock)

This temple is full of elegant buildings that were renovated from the country house of Fujiwara family to a temple in 1052. Ho-o-do, the Phoenix Hall built for Amida Buddha the following year, is engraved on the 10 yen coin because of its beauty. Two statues of phoenixes are standing on top of the large rooftop and the interior is decorated by brilliant colored-paintings and gorgeous ornamentation. It was designated as a World Cultural Heritage in 1994. The only remains which escaped the fire are Ho-o-do, Kannon-do, an important cultural property, and Shourou, a bell, which apparently had a magnificent, immense temple ceiling at the time it was build. In Hoshokan, the museum of the Byodo-in, you can’t miss the real statues of phoenixes on the rooftop, other national treasures, and part of the Unchu Kuyo Bosatsu, buddhas playing instruments and holding a mass in the clouds.

(Source: Taromon/shutterstock)

World Heritage, Ho-o-do

Ho-o-do was built in the year after Byodo-in was built. Statues of phoenixes on the rooftop are replicas. The real ones are national treasures and can be seen in the museum, Hoshokan. The pond in front of Ho-o-do and the garden are designated as historic landmarks and scenic spots of Japan and the reflections of Byodo-in on the pond is also beautiful.

(Source: Bule Sky Studio /shutterstock )

Amida Nyorai-zazou, a wooden national treasure

Amida Nyorai-zazou, the seated figure of Amida Nyorai Buddha made by a famous Japanese craftsman, is dedicated in the main hall of Ho-o-do. The height is approximately three meters and it is made by wood covered with lacquer. The face exudes a geniality and calm, and its immense, powerful stature results in viewers fixing their gaze onto it unknowingly.

(Source: 平等院鳳凰堂の音楽する菩薩たち)

Shourou, one of the three great Japanese bells

The bells in Byodo-in, Shugo-ji in Kyoto and Enjo-ji in Shiga prefecture make up the three great Japanese bells. This is a precious bell has engravings of Shishi (lions), Tenjin (people living in heaven), and arabesque patterns. This is also a replica, but you can see the real one in Hoshokan.