Renovation of the Phoenix Hall of Byōdōin Temple

On September 3, renovation work began on the Phoenix Hall (National Treasure) of Byōdōin temple in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, for the first time in 56 years. The renovation had been scheduled to be completed by 2014. The roof tiles would be completely replaced; the walls and pillars except for the interior would be repainted red; and the phoenixes (replicas) on the roof and the hōju (sacred jewel) would be gold-plated. (Japanese)