Kannondo Hall

The Kannondo Hall was constructed in the early Kamakura period (1185–1333) on the former site of the original main hall. Its classical Tenpyo-period (710–794) design predates the actual construction by some 500 years. The Hall once functioned as a side pavilion (tsuridono) building on the side of the main hall.

It is remarkable that this simple hall has survived. During the long history of Byodoin, many of the temple’s treasures, halls, and towers have been lost in fires, leaving only the Phoenix Hall, the Kannondo, and the temple Bell Tower from its early period. The Kannondo is not as old as the Phoenix Hall, but, like those other wooden structures, it has survived centuries of fire, war, earthquakes, and weather.

The main object of worship of the Kannondo is the Eleven-headed Kannon (Sk. Avalokiteshvara). The Jizo that once stood at one side can be seen in the Byodoin Hoshokan Museum.

The hall is currently closed to visitors for renovation.