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Todai-ji Temple |
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 |
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 century. |
Kasuga-Taisha Shrine |
Kasuga-Taisha Shrine was founded by the Fujiwara family in 768 to enshrine their tutelary deities. Originally the local deity of the Kasuga Province 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. |
Gango-ji Temple |
The Gango-ji Temple is originated from Asuka-dera Temple 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. |
