World Heritage Todaiji Temple

I went to Todaiji temple twice this week.

One was to meet up with my ex-boss, the other was to take my step-son.

Todaiji is one of the most famous temples in Japan and 

is famous for its big Budda statue (15 m in height).

Emperor Shomu ordered to construct Todaiji temple in order to 

govern a country through Buddhism in 8C.

And he also graded Todaiji temple as the head of provincial temples of Japan.

FYI,  

the Budda statue in Nihonji temple at Nokogiriyama mountain in Chiba is 31 m in height

the Budda statue in Shohouji temple in Gifu is 13.63 m in height

the Budda statue in Koutokuin temple in Kamakura is 11.35 m in height

In 8C, the social environment was unstable because of political change,

poor harvest, starvation, epidemic and big earthquakes.

Therefore Emperor Shomu tried to govern a country through Buddhism.

They started to construct a big Budda statue in 745 and completed in 752.

About half of the nation was engaged in this big construction project. 

●Daibutsu den (main hall)

Even though Daibutsu den was burned out twice (in 1180 and 1567) and 

present hall is about two third of original hall size,

Daibutsu den is the largest wooden building in the world.

Daibutsu den was repaired in 1709, and hasn't been repaired again until today.

There is a pillar with a big hole in the northeast part of Daibutsu den 

 (it is called damon's gate).

This hole is the same size as a Daibutsu's nostril.

It is said that the people who can go through this hall will get healthy and happy life.

Please try this!

●Kongo Rikishi Zo (fierce guardian god)

There are two standing statues of Kongo Rikishi at Nandai mon gate.

These wooden statues were sculpted by famous sculptures Unkei and Kaikei 

with their apprentice.

It took only 69days to complete these works!

Both statues are made of about 3000 pieces of wood.

●Goshuin (Red seal)

I got Goshuin (Red seal)  at Todaiji temple for the first time.

It says 大華厳寺 (DaikeGonji) that is formal name of Todaiji temple.

I Ilive extremely close to those historical places and I didn't visit those places until now.

The more I know history or background, 

the more I realize what Nara has wonderful places ang things.

I want to visit more places and show you the facsination of Nara from now.

Todaiji temple web site

*Address
406-1 Zoushi-cho, Nara city, Nara Pref. 630-8587, Japan

*TEL:+81-742-22-5511

*Access
(1)On foot: 

approx. 25 mins walk from Kintetsu Nara station

approx. 40 mins walk from JR Nara station 

(2)By bus
Take Nara Kotsu city loop line outer circle bus from 
JR Nara or Kintestu Nara station, get off at Daibutsu den Kasuga Taisha Mae.