Kōon-ji, Buddhist temple in Kaizuka, Japan.
Kōon-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kaizuka with a main hall dedicated to Kannon, built in a square shape with a pyramid-shaped tile roof. The complex includes a five-story stone pagoda and several carved stone monuments spread across the grounds.
The temple was founded in 726 and underwent major reconstruction in 1684 to strengthen and update its structures. A Kannon Hall from another temple was moved to the site in the early 1900s, expanding the complex.
The temple serves as a place where visitors encounter centuries of Buddhist artistic traditions through its wooden sculptures and religious objects. The craftsmanship displayed in the carvings reflects the values and spiritual practices that communities have maintained over generations.
Walk slowly through the grounds to get a full sense of the stone structures and their arrangement. The outdoor monuments are viewable throughout the year, but visiting during dry seasons makes it easier to see all the details.
The Kannon Hall earned its special name Kuginashi-dō because it was assembled entirely without using nails. This construction method demonstrates remarkable carpentry skill that was uncommon for its time.
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