In 1196, together with Kokei, Kaikei, and Jokaku, Unkei participated in a major assignment to create the Ryowakiji statues to be placed on either side of the Daibutsu (Big Buddha) and the Shitenno (Four Heavenly Kings) statues for Todai-ji Temple, but these statues do not exist any more as they were destroyed along with the Daibutsu-den (Big Buddha Hall) in a fire.
建久7年（1196年）には康慶、快慶、定覚らとともに東大寺大仏の両脇侍像と四天王像の造立という大仕事に携わるが、これらの像はその後大仏殿とともに焼失して現存しない。