Built in 743 on the instigation of Emperor Shomu, Todai-ji centres on the Daibutsu-den, the main pavilion. There is a reason for its gigantic size (57m long and 50m wide): this wooden structure houses the enormous bronze statue of the cosmic Buddha, Daibutsu-den, seated in ecstasy upon a lotus leaf. This National Treasure is 15m high and weighs 200t. Other masterpieces languish in the secondary temple Hokke-do, which houses a group of some 15 statues, the most impressive of which is a praying Kannon.