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Todai-ji Temple
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Daibutsu-den or the Great Buddha's Hall in Todai-ji Temple is the largest wooden structure in the world. The Emperor Shomu issued an Imperial edict to cast a great image of Buddha Vairocana in 741. This temple was built with an all-out effort to concentrate national power on this Imperial order, so that the image could be enshrined in 752, and the main hall was completed after several years. The temple has been burnt down twice so far. Present Great Buddha's Hall was reconstructed in the early 18th century. The Great South Gate was reconstructed in the end of 12th century. The 3rd Month Hall of former Todai-ji was founded in the early 8th century. |
Kofuku-ji Temple
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Kofuku-ji Temple was first built by the Fujiwara family as their family temple in Asuka
region. In 710, it was moved to the present site as the tutelary temple
of the Fujiwara clan . Kofuku-ji Temple prospered with tremendous power
and influence on the politics and the local economy over the long period.
But all buildings of Kofuku-ji Temple were burnt down by Heike Clan in
1180. The Main Hall, West Hall, South Octagonal Hall and South Gate were burnt
down again in 1717. The East Hall and the 5 storied Pagoda were reconstructed in the early
15th century shows Japanese traditional architectural style. The North
Octagonal Hall and the 3 storied Pagoda were rebuilt in the end of 12th
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Kasuga-Taisha Shrine
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Kasuga-Taisha Shrine was founded by the Fujiwara family in 768 to enshrine
their tutelary deities. Originally the local deity of the KasugaProvince was enshrined here, but
the Fujiwara clan brought in the four Shinto deities. In due course, Kasuga-Taisha
Shrine was founded and these four deities were enshrined in the Kasuga
style of architecture with cypress-bark roofs. The Fujiwaras invited the most powerful deity to the shrine, who came to
Nara on the back of the white deer. As it was, the deer were believed as
the sacred messengers of the deities and were allowed to wander freely
in the town of Nara. More than 1200 deer exist now in the Nara Park.
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Gango-ji Temple
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The Gango-jiTemple is originated from Asuka-deraTemple which was Japan's first Buddhist temple
built in the 6th century. It was moved to the present site in 718 and renamed
Gango-ji. Once it was the one of the Great Seven Temples in Nara. But Gango-ji Temple
decreased in the financial patronage of the state. The Main Hall was remodeled
in the 13th century to enshrine Priest Chiko's Mandala. From this time,
it became a center of worship for common people believing in Jodo sect
of Buddhism. The roof-tiles of Asuka-dera Temple were transported and used
in roofing the Main Hall and the Zen-shitsu Hall.There are about 2,500
small memorial stones in the precincts. |
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