According to "Gyokuyo" (Diary of Kanezane KUJO), warrior-monks of Kofuku-ji Temple broke into Yamada-dera Temple, stole the Yakushi Nyorai statue, the principal image in its lecture hall, and placed it as the principal image of Kofuku-ji Temple Tokondo (Eastern Golden Hall).
『玉葉』（九条兼実の日記）によれば、文治3年（1187年）、興福寺の僧兵が山田寺に押し入り、山田寺講堂本尊の薬師三尊像を強奪して、興福寺東金堂の本尊に据えた。