"Sanjuusangendo" was founded in 1164. The names means "Hall with 33 Bays" and refers to the spaces between the pillars of the hall. The number "33" is also significant in Buddhist tradition because "Kannon-Bodhisattva" saves mankind by disguising himself in 33 different ways. The building is 390' (118m) long and houses one large central image of a Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) and no less than 1000 other life-sized (5'5") statues - 500 arrayed on either side. Another 30 statues of gods and spirits stand in front.