This is one of the largest wooden structures in the world. Commissioned by Emperor Shomu for the Rushana Buddha, "The Buddha of Universal Light," from 743-752. It was originally built when Nara was the capital of Japan. This was one of the largest bronze Buddhas every built. The original Buddha was 52 feet tall and took 370,000 metalsmiths to produce. The building was burned down 1180 and rebuilt and the Buddha recast by 1230 by a Chinese sculptor, Chen Hoquig, and Unkei, one of the premier sculptors of Medieval Japan.