Changes

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

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

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

*''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 1058, remained a model for temples for centuries to come.

Hôjô-ji was a Buddhist temple founded by [[Fujiwara no Michinaga]], who had taken the tonsure, 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, 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]]'' 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]].

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.

==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.

[[Category:Heian Period]]

[[Category:Heian Period]]

[[Category:Temples]]

[[Category:Temples]]