Todaiji Hokke-do

The Hokke-do of Todai-ji, commonly known as Sangatsu-do (Third Month Hall), is one of the oldest surviving structures at Todai-ji and a National Treasure of Japan. Built around 733 (Tempyo 5) by Roben, the founder of Todai-ji, it originally enshrined the Fukukensaku Kannon as its principal image. The hall was initially called Kensaku-do and was part of the Kinshoji precinct. The main image, a standing Fukukensaku Kannon crafted in the hollow lacquer (dakkatsu kanshitsu) technique, is a National Treasure representing Nara-period Buddhist sculpture. The current structure combines the original Nara-period main hall with a porch (raido) added in the Kamakura period by Chogen. All ten Buddhist images inside the hall also date from the Nara period.