Horinji Temple
There are two theories regarding the foundation of the Horinji Temple: the first that it was built in 622 by the eldest son of Shotoku Taishi, the Prince Yamashiro, and his son Yugenomiya, to pray for the cure of Shotoku Taishi's illness.
The second is that it was built by three Buddhist priests from Kudara who joined forces after the burning of the Ikaruga Palace in 670.
In the 7th century it was a very large temple with its own complex, however subsequent fire and storm damage initially reduced its size and the three-storey pagoda was finally destroyed by lightning in 1944.
Later, with the help of the writer Koda Aya and others, funds were raised and the temple was rebuilt in 1975 by Nishioka Tsunekazu.
It is now known as one of the "Three Pagodas of Ikaruga", together with Horyu-ji and Hoki-ji.
