Established his throne with the auspicious dream of cherry blossom, the Emperor Tenmu had ordered to build the temple, together with the Empress Jito. It is a training hall where Shinto and Buddhism are syncretized. Having Jinben-daibosatsu (important cultural property of Kamakura Era) as the honzon (principal statue), it enshrines numbers of temple treasures including the Statue of Seated Shaka Nyorai (important cultural property of Asuka-Hakuho Era), and the Nenjibutsu (the small statue of Buddha always kept beside the person) of the Emperor Tenmu. In Shoten-do, Japan’s oldest Shoten-son (Nandikesvara, which is a Buddhist pantheon)perceived by En no Gyoja is being enshrined. By dedicating the octagon “ema” (the votive tablet of horse) that brings various connection of people, one prays for the accomplishment of a good match.
