Byodoin Temple Kyoto
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Byodo-in Temple was constructed in 1053 by Fujiwara Yorimichi, the then Kampaku or the Chief Advisor to the Emperor. The Kampaku was extremely powerful and enjoyed extreme wealth, luxury and social importance. The Byodo-in is a living example of the powerful status this clan of aristocrats enjoyed.
In 1053, the Amida (Amitabha) Hall was built around the Ajiike Pond in order to enshrine a statue of the Amitabha Tathagata (Amida Nyorai). The Amida Hall, more commonly known as the Phoenix Hall (Hou-do), is the only building that has survived the ravages of various fires, earthquakes and floods, as well as the Kusunoki Hatakeyama Civil War (1336) and the Onin Wars.
Byodo-in Temple, Kyoto houses a number of historical artifacts from the Heian period. These are:-
- The seated statue of Amitabha Tathagata (designated a national treasure)
- The oldest existing door paintings showing the Amitabha's epiphany (also a national treasure)
- The temple bell (also a national treasure) now kept in Byoudo-in's impressive new museum - the Kannondo or the Avalokitesvara Hall
- The duo of Phoenixes that were mounted on the roof, along with many excavated artifacts as well as a lot of very historically valuable medieval documents
Design: The Amitabha Hall, the central building of Byodo-in Temple, Kyoto came to be called the Phoenix Hall by locals and travelers during the early Edo Period (1603-1868). A pair of Phoenixes adorning the top of the roofline of the central hall or Chudo is believed to have given rise to the temple’s nomenclature. The mythological Chinese bird was believed to be the protector of Buddha. It is also said that the entire hall resembles a bird alighting on a lake. This could be a possible second reason behind its name.
The roof of the Phoenix Hall at the Byodo-in Temple, Kyoto is made of Japanese clay tiles. The Chudo has a single gambrel roof. On both sides of the Chudo are two winged corridors - both of which are gabled and have raised eaves.
To the rear of the Chudo, there is a tail, which historians suggest was built as a passageway to a building that was used as a rear exit. The tail corridor is about 18.4 meters long and originally had an earthen floor. The tail corridor was repaired a few centuries ago and wooden floors and kato style windows were added.
The Phoenix Hall is a vision of beauty, which as a tourist, you cannot afford to miss out on. And yes, if you were wondering you have seen it already, it is on the Japanese 10 yen coin!
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