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[[Image:Hojoji.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Stone marker at the former site of Hôjô-ji.]]

[[Image:Hojoji.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Stone marker at the former site of Hôjô-ji.]]

*''Established: [[1019]]''

*''Established: [[1019]]''

*''Destroyed: [[1053]]''

*''Destroyed: [[1058]]''

*''Japanese'': 法成寺 ''(Houjouji)''

*''Japanese'': 法成寺 ''(Houjouji)''

Hôjô-ji was a Buddhist temple founded by [[Fujiwara no Michinaga]] with the intention that he would retire there. It was the first effort by the [[Fujiwara regency]] to create a great Buddhist structure, and though it was destroyed by fire in 1053, remained a model for temples for centuries to come.

Hôjô-ji was a Buddhist temple founded by [[Fujiwara no Michinaga]] with the intention that he would retire there. It was the first effort by the [[Fujiwara regency]] to create a great Buddhist structure, and though it was destroyed by fire in 1058, remained a model for temples for centuries to come.

Construction began in 1019, and 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, and 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>.

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 1053.

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.

==References==

==References==