The Shaka Hall

The Shaka Hall was newly built in 1976 in order to enshrine the Buddhist statue of "Hakuho Shakanyorai Izo (Hakuhobutsu)" that is a National Important Cultural Property in Japan.
The raised-floor-style is for preventing the humidity in Japan.

The statue of "Hakuho Shakanyorai Izo" is a Buddhist image that was created in the Hakuho period (673~686): the time classification of Japanese art history, such as in the late Asuka era (592~710).
It was the principal image of the Jindaiji temple when it was established.
The statue of “Hakuho Shakanyorai Izo (Hakuhobutsu)” is well known as the oldest Buddhist statue in the east side of Japan.
Also, it is a biggest as a gilt bronze statue of the Buddha in Japan: the sitting height is 60.6cm and the height is 83.5cm.

The baby face and the line connected to the nose from the eyebrow represents the features of the Hakuho period.
Unfortunately, the gold leaf on the statue that was used to be was destroyed by fire. We can see the similar expression in the statues of "Koyakushi-zo" at Shinyakushiji temple and the statue of "Yumetagai Kannnon-zo" at Horyuji temple in Nara district.
These three Buddhist statues represent this era and are called "Three Hakuho Buddhist statues".
In 2017, the "Hakuho Shakanyorai Izo (Hakuhobutsu)" was promoted to be as a Japanese national treasure.