Kikō-ji, Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan.
Kikō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Nara with a main hall featuring a tiled hipped roof and a three by two bay configuration. The open porch across the front creates a transitional space between the interior and the surrounding grounds.
Emperor Shōmu renamed the temple from Sugawara-dera to Kikō-ji in 748 after observing a light emanating from the principal Buddha image. This event marked a spiritual turning point for the site.
The temple houses a seated wooden Amida Nyorai statue from the Heian period and two attendant figures from the Nanboku-chō period. These sculptures are the focus of daily devotion and reflect the artistic traditions of their respective eras.
The temple is open daily and offers a calm setting for visitors to take time exploring the architecture and interior spaces. Comfortable footwear is recommended since temple grounds can have uneven surfaces.
From mid-June through mid-August, the temple grounds display roughly 250 lotus pots in full bloom. This seasonal spectacle transforms the space into a floral garden and draws both devout visitors and nature lovers.
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