Uji: Byōdō-in Phoenix Hall Reflected on Water

Byōdō-in Phoenix Hall is a masterpiece of Pure Land architecture built by Fujiwara no Yorimichi in 1053 and is widely known as the design on the 10-yen coin. Standing facing Aji Pond, the Phoenix Hall is an elegant building whose reflection in the water evokes the image of a Pure Land Paradise palace. Inside, the seated statue of Amitabha Buddha created by Jōchō (a National Treasure) is enshrined, and 52 Bodhisattvas in the Clouds decorate the walls. The exhibition at Museum Hōshōkan is also worth seeing.