According to “Shoku Nihongi,” the imperially commissioned history text on the Nara Period, Emperor Shomu (701-756) observed an event held on the south side of the gate. The Ministry of Land ...
The pagoda was erected during the Nara Period (710-784) at the encouragement of Empress Komyo, the wife of Emperor Shomu. It has been destroyed by fire on five occasions but rebuilt each time.