Founded in 669 this is one of the head temples of the Hosso sect (also known as the Yuishiki "mind only") of esoteric Buddhism. With the establishment of the Japanese capital at Nara in 710 Kofuku-ji was the first temple to be relocated. Moved to present location in the center of the city, temple grew rapidly in size and wealth under the patronage of emperors and members of the powerful Fujiwara clan. In its history Kofuku-ji exercised control over Kasuga Taisha shrine and became political dominate in the region.