Emperor Heizei
The history of the temple is said to date to the year 807 when Kūkai visited the town and made 3 venerable statues (尊像, "sonzou") in honor of Emperor Heizei. At that time he made the "honzon" of Yakushi Nyorai (本尊薬師如来), "Wakihutsu Amida-Nyorai" (脇仏阿弥陀如来) and "Jūichimen Kanzenon" (十一面観世音). These statues were quite precious for all the people from the commonalty to the Emperors. Emperor Heizei and Emperor Saga visited this temple every year. That's why, the area around this temple became called "Hirajo" (平城) whose character means Heizei (平城).