51³Ô¹ÏÍø

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.