When Emperor Shomu had Todai-ji Temple built and had the statue of Birushanabutsu (the Great Buddha of Nara Prefecture) erected as the national symbol, in 749 to support this undertaking, Usahachiman-shin visited the capitol city of Nara riding a vehicle of emperor (an otori ren-shaped vehicle) with a glittering golden mythical Firebird Goddess on its roof.
聖武天皇が奈良に東大寺を建て、毘盧舎那仏（奈良の大仏）を建立して国の象徴として建設にあたる時、天平勝宝元年（749年）に、これを助ける為に、宇佐八幡神は、屋根に金色の鳳凰が輝く天皇の乗り物（鳳輩）に乗って奈良の都へと都御した。