Kofukuji Temple Eastern Golden Hall (Tokondo)

An Open Front Bay in the Nara Tradition

The Kofukuji Temple Eastern Golden Hall (Tokondo) (興福寺東金堂) is a masterpiece of the Muromachi Japanese style of 1415 in Noboriojicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and was designated a National Treasure on March 29, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a single-storey hall seven bays by four with a hipped roof of full tiles; designation number 00062.

The Agency record also gives an earlier designation date of December 28, 1897, the date of its designation under the former law.

Founded by Emperor Shomu, Rebuilt in 1415

The Eastern Golden Hall of Kofukuji was founded in 726 by Emperor Shomu, who prayed for the recovery of the retired Empress Gensho; it burned several times, and the present hall was rebuilt in 1415 after a fire caused by lightning in 1411 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Buddha platform was repaired in 1474.

It is seven bays by four with three-step brackets under a hipped roof of full tiles (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Most striking is the front row of bays, left entirely open, a technique handed down from the Nara period and seen also at the Golden Hall of Toshodaiji. During a repair in 1937 the head of the former principal image, now a National Treasure, and other objects were found.

Why It Is a National Treasure

The Agency calls it a masterpiece of the Muromachi Japanese style, with thick, imposing members, and finds its revivalist design of particular interest.

What to Look For

Look for the open front row of bays in the Nara tradition and the three-step brackets of thick members (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

It is owned by Kofukuji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting hours or fees was found. The designated buildings of Kofukuji are introduced together on the Kofukuji Temple page.