Kofuku-ji Temple was counted among the four great temples of the Nara Period and the Seven Great Temples of Nara in the Heian Period, and was given special protection because it had a close relationship with the sekke (line of regents and advisers), Fujiwara-Hokke (the Northern House of the Fujiwara clan).
興福寺は奈良時代には四大寺、平安時代には南都七大寺の一つに数えられ、特に摂家藤原北家との関係が深かったために手厚く保護された。