Nanto Shichi Daiji

Nanto Shichi Daiji is the collective name of the seven great imperial temples of Nara, the old Heijō-kyō capital: Daian-ji, Gangō-ji, Hōryū-ji, Kōfuku-ji, Saidai-ji, Tōdai-ji and Yakushi-ji. Founded by imperial decree in the eighth century, they were the headquarters of the six Nara schools of Buddhism.

Tōdai-ji, made head of the provincial temple system under Emperor Shōmu, housed the great bronze Vairocana Buddha consecrated in 752; the Chinese monk Ganjin ordained clergy there in 754. Kōfuku-ji, the Fujiwara temple, kept its wealth and warrior monks after the court moved to Kyoto in 794.

In 1180 Taira forces burned Kōfuku-ji and Tōdai-ji in the Nara siege, and Minamoto no Yoritomo entrusted the monk Chōgen with their rebuilding, producing the Great South Gate and the giant guardian figures of Unkei and Kaikei; the Great Buddha Hall rose again in 1709.