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| Kōfuku-ji Temple: Northern Round Hall | |
Kōfuku-ji Temple: Northern Round Hall
This building, whose round shape denotes its status as a memorial chapel, was originally erected in 721 to mark the one-year anniversary of the death of Kohfukuji’s founding patron, Fujiwara no Fuhito (659–720). The original Northern Round Hall burnt down in 1049, and though replaced, was destroyed again in 1181 by troops under Taira clan commander Taira no Shigehira (1158–1185) during a battle known as the Burning of the Southern Capital (Southern Capital being another name for the city of Nara). The current building was completed in 1210. Having survived major fires in 1327 and 1717 that destroyed most of the temple complex, the hall is the oldest structure at Kohfukuji today, and houses a number of important icons. The statues in the Northern Round Hall center on the principal icon, an image of the of the future Buddha Miroku ( Maitreya). |
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| Issued Country | Japan |
| Issued Year | 2002 |
| Category | Buddhist Architect World Heritage |
| Type | Postage Stamps |