After a great fire destroyed most of the Todaiji temple in 1180, a monk named Chogen, who was in charge of reconstruction, designed a new style of architecture for the main gate and for the Great Buddha Hall.

The style is known today as Daibutsu-yō, or “Great Buddha style". His original hall was later burned down, but his gate, Nandaimon, survived until today in its original form…

Nandaimon Gate, Todaiji Temple, Nara

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Shinto shrines, Sumiyoshi