Tōshōdai-ji

Toshodaiji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Nara, Japan. It was established in 759 as the first temple in Japan devoted to the Chinese Nanzan school of Buddhism, and is considered the head temple of Japan's Ritsu-shu denomination. The temple was founded by Ganjin, a high priest from China who arrived in Nara after a twelve-year journey and established the ordination platform at Todaiji Temple. Ganjin resigned from Todaiji to construct Toshodaiji, where he remained until his death in 763. A statue of Ganjin, now a National Treasure, is enshrined in the temple and worshipped to this day. Despite changes to its size and political and cultural surroundings, Toshodaiji remains an important representation of Japan's Tempyo Era culture and owns 17 National Treasures and 200 Important Cultural Properties.