Changes

Construction began in 1019, with many more buildings, including a Golden Hall, Five-Story Pagoda, [[Yakushi]] Hall, and [[Shaka]] Hall being completed the following year. The formal dedication ceremony, attended by [[Emperor Go-Ichijo|Emperor Go-Ichijô]] and a great many courtiers and court ladies, was held on [[1022]]/7/14<ref>Sansom, George. ''A History of Japan to 1334''. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1958. pp174-5.</ref>.

Construction began in 1019, with many more buildings, including a Golden Hall, Five-Story Pagoda, [[Yakushi]] Hall, and [[Shaka]] Hall being completed the following year. The formal dedication ceremony, attended by [[Emperor Go-Ichijo|Emperor Go-Ichijô]] and a great many courtiers and court ladies, was held on [[1022]]/7/14<ref>Sansom, George. ''A History of Japan to 1334''. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1958. pp174-5.</ref>.

Like many temples of the late [[Heian period]], Hôjô-ji followed the layout and architectural style of an aristocratic ''[[shinden]]'' residence. The main image hall (''kondô''), lecture hall (''kôdô''), bell tower, sutra repository, and monks' residences were all located in the north of the compound; the rest of the structures were organized around a manmade pond with a small islet at the center, many of them connected with the ''kondô'' by covered corridors forming a full rectangle around the pond. Many of the sacred images (Buddhist sculptures) in the compound were sculpted by [[Jocho|Jôchô]].

Like many temples of the late [[Heian period]], Hôjô-ji followed the layout and architectural style of an aristocratic ''[[shinden-zukuri|shinden]]'' residence. The main image hall (''kondô''), lecture hall (''kôdô''), bell tower, sutra repository, and monks' residences were all located in the north of the compound; the rest of the structures were organized around a manmade pond with a small islet at the center, many of them connected with the ''kondô'' by covered corridors forming a full rectangle around the pond. Many of the sacred images (Buddhist sculptures) in the compound were sculpted by [[Jocho|Jôchô]].

 

Michinaga died in [[1027]] in the [[Amida]] Hall, located to the west of the pond, where he lay holding golden threads connecting him to nine statues of Amida Buddha, who he believed would use the cords to pull his spirit out of his body, escorting it on a lotus pedestal to the [[Pure Land]].

Michinaga died in [[1027]] in the [[Amida]] Hall, located to the west of the pond, where he lay holding golden threads connecting him to nine statues of Amida Buddha, who he believed would use the cords to pull his spirit out of his body, escorting it on a lotus pedestal to the [[Pure Land]].

Following Michinaga's death, the temple became a memorial to him, though it continued to grow under the guidance of his heirs, until its destruction in 1058.

Following Michinaga's death, the temple became a memorial to him, though it continued to grow under the guidance of his heirs, until its destruction in 1058.

Today, a stone marker on Kojinguchi-dôri, just east of Teramachi-dôri, marks the site. Though archaeological surveys have not found any evidence of the temple, textual sources indicate this to be the location, and Middle Heian period roof tiles have been found nearby.

Today, a stone marker on Kojinguchi-dôri, just east of Teramachi-dôri, marks the site. Though archaeological surveys have not found any evidence of the temple, textual sources indicate this to be the location, and Middle Heian period roof tiles have been found nearby. The temple [[Jiju-in]] is believed to have been originally established on this site in [[1428]], though it was later relocated.<ref name=jijuin/>

==References==

==References==

*Mason, Penelope. ''History of Japanese Art''. Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. pp141, 144.

*Mason, Penelope. ''History of Japanese Art''. Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. pp141, 144.

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[[Category:Heian Period]]

[[Category:Heian Period]]

[[Category:Temples]]

[[Category:Temples]]