Investigations have revealed that the foundation stones scattered throughout the temple grounds are volcanic rocks believed to have been quarried in the Murō region, an area east of Nara known since ancient times for its high-quality stone. Stones of this type were widely used in the sixth century for temple foundations such as Asuka-dera—the first full- scale Buddhist temple in Japan—built under the patronage of the powerful Soga clan, who were instrumental in introducing Buddhism to the country. The dating corresponds closely, suggesting that these stones were transported from ancient Asuka, Japan’ s first Buddhist capital, to Heijō-kyō (the city of Nara) long ago. They remain enshrined within the grounds of Gango-ji Temple, continuing to safeguard the sacred flame of Buddhist faith and tradition.

The name Naki Tōrō (“Crying Lantern ”) comes from a legend dating to the mid-18th century. According to the story, the Shimomura family of Kyoto donated a new stone lantern to the temple and took the original one back to Kyoto. However, it was said that each night the lantern turned toward Nanto (the old name for Nara) and cried, “I want to go home .” Disturbed by this, the family eventually returned the lantern to Gango-ji Temple. As a result, two stone lanterns remain at the temple to this day. The Yamato Meisho Zue (Illustrated Guide to the Famous Places of Yamato ), compiled in the late 18 th century, already depict these two lanterns in its illustration of the temple.

Since the Nara period, when the Chūmon Kannon image was transferred to the monastic quarters that once stood here within the great Gango-ji temple complex, this hall has been known as the Kannon Hall and became a major center of Kannon devotion in Nara. Later, however, it was destroyed along with the Great Pagoda in a great fire at the end of the Edo period. During the Shōwa- era restoration, the hall was rebuilt as the Main Hall. Today it enshrines many deities and buddhas, including the principal image of Maitreya Bodhisattva, the Four Heavenly Kings, the Kongō Rikishi (Nio guardians), and the Eight Thunder Gods Mask.