952 cynthea j. bogel
on texts and iconography but also on material precedents in China,
nearly all of them lost, and conceptual innovations in Japan. Kūkai
introduced distinct mikkyō elements into the Tōji layout ( garan )
and made plans for halls and icons reflecting mikkyō concepts and
ritual requirements but few were realized during his lifetime. The
initial plan for Tōji included eighth-century-style pagodas at the
southeast and southwest corners, but Kūkai’s plan replaced the West
Pagoda with an Abhiseka Hall (Kanjōdō ̣ ). Construction began
on the pagoda and lecture hall at about the same time. Neither the
Tōji Pagoda nor the Abhiseka Hall were completed until after Kūkai’s ̣
death.^12 The Lecture Hall building (but not the statues) was completed
by 835, ten years after construction began and two and a half months
before Kūkai’s death.^13
The earliest reference to the Lecture Hall statues describes their con-
secration in 839.6.15: “The nobles of the court gathered together at
Tōji for the eye-opening [rite] of the various Buddhas [made] at impe-
rial behest.”^14 The statues are next mentioned in a document from the
(^12) A pagoda was begun for Tōji around the same time as construction of the Lec-
ture Hall began (i.e., ca. 826). The original pagoda burned in Kanei 12 (1635) and
was repaired in Kanei 21 (1645). Originally it is thought to have contained a central
pillar (possibly painted) that represented Dainichi; on a raised altar around the central
figure were the four Nyorai Ashuku, Hōshō, Amida, Fukūjōju (making up the Five
Buddhas of the Diamond World) and the Eight Great Bodhisattvas. Today there are
divinities from the Kongōkai mandala painted on the corner pillars and front door,
and there are eight patriarch portraits on the interior walls. It is possible that this dec-
oration was the same as Kūkai’s original concept. The Tōji Abhiṣeka Hall (Kanjō’in)
interior had the seven patriarchs, adding Kongōsatta Bodhisattva and Kūkai, for nine
paintings on three of four walls of the inner space. For illustrations of the current
pagoda interior, see Tōji (Kyōōgokokuji) Hōmotsukan, ed. 1997, 19, 20 (for the eight
patriarchs), 71–72.
(^13) Tenchō 2 (835).4.24. Shoku Nihon kōki, KT 8:4, quoted in NCKSS-jys 1:61 (shiryō
9). This document is sometimes cited for the date of the Lecture Hall completion but in
fact it states only that the hall was completed by that date. Nevertheless, construction
does not appear to have progressed quickly. Tōbōki 1, ZZGR 12:4. No records survive
regarding the production of the Tōji statues. Stylistically, the works support a produc-
tion date in the 830s. Kūkai died on Jōwa 2 (835).6.16. A document of 835.1.6 (Shoku
Nihon kōki, KT 8:231) requests funds from the government for carrying out “training
and lectures on the sūtras” and notes that some halls are completed. Although this
is sometimes interpreted to mean that funds were requested for making statues, the
document is inconclusive. NCKSS-jys 1:61 (shiryō 9).
(^14) Entry for Jōwa 6 in Shoku Nihon kōki, KT, 88. The kuyō (offerings) ceremony for
the newly sculpted statues of the Lecture Hall at the Saiji temple was conducted on
Tenchō 9 (832).5.7, earlier than that for Tōji (see the Nihongi entry for same date).
The month and day of the consecration is the traditional anniversary of Kūkai’s birth;
it is also the death date of Amoghavajra.