Photo/Illutration An artist’s impression of Byodoin temple’s Phoenix Hall in its original form, with upper roofs covered with clay tiles and lower ones with wooden panels (Provided by Byodoin temple)

UJI, Kyoto Prefecture--New research sheds light on an architectural mystery, indicating that the famed hall at Byodoin temple looked significantly different when it was originally built in the 11th century.

While the top roofs of the Phoenix Hall were covered with weighty tiles as they are currently, lower roofs were once made of lighter timber in an eclectic mix of architectural styles, officials of the Buddhist temple said on Aug. 31.

The findings were announced to coincide with the 970th anniversary of the building’s construction.

With its image engraved on the nation’s 10-yen coin, the iconic hall was built in 1053 by Fujiwara no Yorimichi, a powerful political figure from the Heian Period (794-1185).

The temple complex is a World Heritage site.

While experts have long disagreed on what material was originally used for the hall’s roofs, recent studies have suggested that the entire roof was initially covered with wooden panels, which were later replaced by tiles during a major renovation in 1101.

However, restoration work carried out a decade ago found around 280 clay tiles that had survived from the time the hall was originally built, meaning its top roofs at least were covered with tiles from the beginning.

Meanwhile, part of the timber materials now used for the interior of the building appear weathered by rain and wind, suggesting they were initially used to cover roofs.

Temple officials believe that, for technical reasons, the low-sloped lower roofs were better served with wooden panels instead of clay tiles.

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