The predecessor of Todai-ji Temple dates back to slightly before construction of the Great Buddha, and by the first half of the eighth century the preceding temple had been built to the east of the Great Buddha Hall, at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa.
東大寺の起源は大仏造立よりやや古く、8世紀前半には大仏殿の東方、若草山麓に前身寺院が建てられていた。