Kofukuji Temple (Kofuku-ji), Nara, Japan
Pagoda and temple buildings at Kofukuji Temple, Nara, Japan This temple was established by Kagaminookimi the first wife of Emperor Tenji in Yamashina, Yamashiro Province (present-day Kyoto) in 669. In 672, the temple was moved to Fujiwara-kyo, the first planned capital in Japan. In 710, the temple was moved again to newly constructed capital, Heijo-kyo, today’s Nara. In Nara, Kofuku-ji is one of the ‘Nanto Shichi Daiji’, literally, seven major temples in the ‘South Capital’, after the capital was moved to Heian-kyo, today’s Kyoto. However, compared to many other major temples decline after the move of the capital, Kofuku-ji did not lose it's shines along with another major temple, Todai-ji. It is because Kofuku-ji was a ‘clan’s temple’ of the Fujiwara clan, which commanded both power and fortune for many centuries. Kofuku-ji, along with several Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, the remains of the Heijo Palace, and other sites in Nara, received the distinction of being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Size: 5536px × 3452px
Location: Nara, Nara Prefecture, Honshu, Japan, East Asia
Photo credit: © Japanese Temples / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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