12-14th century

The figure responsible for most of the reconstruction of the temple was the monk Chōgen. From the time he was appointed Chief Solicitor in 1181 at the age of 61, Chōgen spent over twenty years restoring the temple, receiving financial assistance from Emperor Go-Shirakawa and the Shōgun, Minamoto no Yoritomo, among others. Chōgen began by repairing the head and left hand of the Great Buddha with the assistance of Chen He Qing, a Song caster, and rededicated the image in 1185. He then turned his attention to the reconstruction of the Great Buddha Hall. At first, Chōgen had difficulty in obtaining the necessary lumber; however, once the government provided the temple with lands in the province of Suō (Yamaguchi Prefecture) the work proceeded quickly. The ceremony celebrating the completion of the hall was held in 1195. Subsequently the various other compounds within the complex were completed and the temple flourished.