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Ryugaiji Asuka-mura, Oka
Historical records tell us that this temple was constructed by Gien in the latter half of the 7th century. Tiles from that time have been unearthed at the Harita Jinja which adjoins the grounds of the present-day Okadera on the west, and it is thought that here was the site of the original temple. Gien (died 728) was a high priest born in Asuka. Among h[s pupils were such social and religious activists of the Nara period as Genbo, Doji, Gyoki, Ryoben and Dokyo. The statue of Nyoirin Kannon (Sanskrit: Cintamanicakra) which is the Okadera's main object of worship (honzon) was made in the 8th century and is the largest clay image in Japan, with a height of 4.5 meters.
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