Conveying the splendor of the Heian period to the present day
Uji, located in the southern suburbs of Kyoto, is the setting of "Uji Jucho" in "The Tale of Genji,
The villas of the aristocrats had been located in this area since the early Heian period (794-1185).
The present site of Byodoin was a villa run by Minamoto no Yuu, the left minister of the Saga Genji clan, who is said to have been the model for Hikaru Genji, around the end of the 9th century.
Later, it became "Uji-in," a detached palace of Emperor Suzaku, and then "Uji-den," a villa of Fujiwara no Michinaga, a court noble (a position responsible for national politics). Byodoin was founded as a temple in 1052 by Fujiwara no Yorimichi, a Sekihaku, son of Michinaga.
The main hall (Kondo) was remodeled from the sleeping quarters of Uji-den, and a statue of Dainichi Nyorai was made the principal object of worship.
The following year, in 1053, he built the Amida Hall (now the Phoenix Hall), which seemed to bring the Western Paradise into the world.
In Kyoto in the late Heian period, in addition to Byodoin, there was a succession of large temples built by the imperial family and aristocrats
Byodoin is the only historical site in Kyoto where a temple built by aristocrats in the Heian period remains, including its buildings, Buddhist statues, murals, and gardens.
National Treasure Ho-oh-do Hall
Built as the Amida Hall, it was called "Ho-oh-do" in the early Edo period (1603-1868).
It is currently the main hall and consists of a central hall where the principal image of the seated Amida Nyorai (a national treasure), a work of the Buddhist priest Teisho, is enshrined, wing corridors on the left and right, and a rear corridor.
The interior is decorated with gorgeous Housoge designs and extremely colorful door paintings.
The main roof is adorned with the bronze phoenix depicted on the 10,000-yen bill.
Since 1968, a replica of the phoenix statue has been installed for conservation reasons, and the actual phoenix statue (National Treasure) is housed in the Hoshokan.
National Treasure Statue of Bodhisattva
Fifty-two wooden statues of Bodhisattvas in relief adorning the wall above the long banister in the central hall of the Phoenix Hall, all designated as National Treasures, are still in existence. All of the statues are riding on flying clouds, and it is thought that they represent Bodhisattvas who come with Amida Nyorai.
There are 27 statues playing musical instruments such as koto, biwa, vertical and horizontal flutes, sho, drums, drums, gongs, and drums, and others holding palms together, banners, lotus flowers, and others standing and dancing.
Hou-ou-do central Hall Wall Paintings
The 12 doors and 4 walls of the Chudo are part of the National Treasure structure, and the paintings on them are designated as National Treasures in the painting category (2 of the 12 doors are designated as supplementary).
The main subject of the paintings is the "Nine Pieces of Raiyōzu" based on the "Kanmyōju-kyō".
Jodo style garden
The Pure Land style garden is centered around the central island on which the Phoenix Hall stands and the Aji Pond, which is modeled after the Treasure Pond of Paradise that surrounds it. It is designated as a national historic site and a place of scenic beauty.
When it was first built, it was said to represent the Pure Land of Paradise in the west by incorporating the Uji River and the mountains on the opposite side of the river, and it influenced the construction of temples in various regions.
Excavations since 1990 have restored the Shuhama beach, which was built in the Heian period (794-1185), to its original state.
The entrance to the Phoenix Hall is now via two small bridges crossing from the north bank of the pond.
Byodoin Hosho Hall
Byodoin Museum "Hoshokan," a museum that opened in 2001 on the south side of the temple grounds, offers a computer-generated video reproduction of the hall.
The museum houses 26 of the 52 National Treasures: the temple bell, a statue of Bodhisattva making offerings in the clouds, a pair of phoenixes, and a wooden statue of Bodhisattva making offerings in the clouds.
Precincts
In addition to the Phoenix Hall, the garden, and the Byodoin Museum "Hoshokan," the temple grounds include the Main Gate (North Gate), the South Gate, the Bell Tower, the Kannon Hall built on the site of the Main Hall in the early Kamakura period, the Jodoin Temple, and the Saishoin Temple.
Byodoin once had numerous halls and towers, but they have been lost.
In 1180, Minamoto no Yorimasa, defeated in the Battle of Hashi, committed suicide on the "fan lawn" of this temple.
The tomb of Minamoto no Yorimasa is located in Saishoin Temple.