Kohfukuji was a tutelary Buddhist temple of the Fijiwara family, and was also called Kasugadera, or Kasuga Temple. As indicated by its name, the temple had a close connection with the Kasugataisha Shrine in the combining of Shinto and Buddhism. The long history of prosperity and decline of this temple is parallel to that of the Fujiwara family. During the middle ages the temple was noted for its militant troop of soldier monks. It therefore suffered war damage, losing many buildings one after another. In spite of calamity, the temple still possesses a number of art treasures from the 8thcentury. These treasures tell the tale of the glorious days of the temple.