From villa to temple
Yorimichi founded Byōdō-in in 1052 by converting a villa inherited from Michinaga. The temple relates this foundation to belief in mappō and devotion to Amida's Pure Land. Completion of the Amida Hall in 1053 was a subsequent undertaking.
The precinct changed over time. Minamoto no Yorimasa died there after the 1180 Battle of Uji, and warfare in 1336 destroyed many buildings. Later subtemples participated in its care, and a major repair of the Amida Hall took place in 1670.
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Amida Hall and the Pure Land setting
The hall stands on an island in the Aji Pond and faces east, presenting a western Pure Land across the water to worshippers. Its birdlike form and paired roof ornaments later gave rise to the name Phoenix Hall, which postdates the original building.
Jōchō's wooden Amida image was installed in 1053. Fifty-two cloud-borne bodhisattvas from his workshop depict music, movement and offerings. Hall, sculpture and water together organized the devotional setting; Phoenix Hall is one part of the larger temple.
Repair, originals and display
Repeated repairs continued through the Meiji and Shōwa periods and the 2012–2014 restoration. Pigment surviving on excavated material informed the hall's renewed coloring. Roof phoenixes were replaced by replicas in 1968 so that the originals could be protected.
The Hōshōkan museum opened in 2001 under the temple's religious corporation. It houses sculptures, phoenixes, the bell and archaeological material, largely below ground to respect the garden setting. Byōdō-in joined the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage property in 1994.