Nara golden hall regains former glory 301 years after lost in fire

NARA--After more than three centuries since it burned down, the Central Golden Hall at Kofukuji temple finally has its luster fully restored.
About 3,000 people attended a completion ceremony on Oct. 7, and Tagawa Shunei, chief priest, expressed his delight during his speech.
Kofukuji temple was founded in 710, and the Central Golden Hall, its core facility, was originally built in 714.
The hall was burned down seven times in fires and civil wars.
After the most recent fire in 1717, a temporary hall was erected a century later.
The seated statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni, which was created in 1811, has been enshrined as the principal icon. It is surrounded by the Four Heavenly Guardian Kings, the national treasure statues carved in the 13th century.
The reconstructed Central Golden Hall measures 37 meters from west to east, 23 meters from north to south and 21 meters in height.
It is the second largest among all wooden structures in Nara, following the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji temple.
The completion ceremony will continue until Oct. 11, and about 14,000 people in total are expected to attend.
The Central Golden Hall will be opened to the public from Oct. 20.
(This article was written by Chihiro Kotaki, a senior staff writer, and Ryo Miyazaki.)