A suspected arson fire raged at the historic Jakko-in Temple in Kyoto early Tuesday, causing extensive damage to the main hall and damaging the centuries-old Buddhist statue dedicated to the temple, fire officials said.
The temple appears in the 13th century "The Tale of the Heike," said to be one of the most important war tales of the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, and is home to Buddhist nuns.
The Kyoto fire department said the priceless Jizo Bosatsu statue, or guardian deity for children, was charred by the fire.
The statue, which is housed in the main hall of the convent, was built in 1229 and has been designated by the state as an important cultural treasure.