The National Treasure, Sanjusangen-do Hall is a Buddhist temple in Higashiyama, Kyoto. The official name of the building is Rengeo-in Temple and the main hall is called Sanjusangen-do. The name represents the 33 units between the pillars in the inner sanctum. The number of 33 is based on the 33 incarnations of Bodhisattva Kannon.
In the late Heian Period, Emperor Goshirakawa, who initiated the system of cloistered rule, built the Hojuji-dono Palace, and Sanjusangen-do Hall was built inside shortly after with the financial sponsor from the military leader Taira no Kiyomori who came to power. Unfortunately, the palace was destroyed by fire in 1249, only the main hall was rebuilt later. It is said that the outer walls were painted with red lacquer and inside the hall was decorated with full colors. The hall is 16m tall, 22m deep, and 120m long from south to north, incorporating the hip-and-gable roof style and tile-roofing style to create a fascinating view. In addition, the seated statues of Thousand Armed Kannon is placed in the hall center, with 1000 Life-sized standing statues of Thousand Armed Kannon on both sides―a magnificent view you would find nowhere else. It is said that one can definitely find a statue that resembles the person whom they want to meet among those Kannon statues.
