At that time, the capital was moved to Kuni-kyo (Kamo-cho, Soraku District, Kyoto Prefecture) but the Emperor was residing at Shigaraki no Miya Palace (current Shigaraki-cho, Koga City, Shiga Prefecture) and construction of the Great Buddha also began there.
当時、都は恭仁京（くにのみや京都府相楽郡加茂町(京都府)）に移されていたが、天皇は恭仁京の北東に位置する紫香楽宮（しがらきのみや現・滋賀県甲賀市信楽町）におり、大仏造立もここで始められた。