Todai-ji Temple Highlights

The information about Todai-ji Temple Highlights is presented here. Todai-ji Temple has a number of highlights, including Great Buddha (Daibutsu), Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), and Nandai-mon, but Great Buddha and Great Buddha Hall are the two that must be seen. Great Buddha is about 15 meters high, and its presence is overwhelming when approaching it. Great Buddha is affectionately known as “Nara no Daibutsu^san”. Great Buddha Hall is more than 45 meters high, and its front and sides are more than 50 meters long, making it one of the largest wooden structures in the world.

★Todai-ji Temple (location,history)

• Great Buddha (Daibutsu, 大仏)
• Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden, 大仏殿)
• Nandai-mon (Nandai-mon Gate, 南大門)

【Great Buddha (Daibutsu, 大仏)】

Casting of Great Buddha (National Treasure) began in 745, and the consecrating ceremony was held in 752. In 855, however, the head fell off due to a major earthquake, and it was restored by Shinnyo-hoshinno. In 1180, it was destroyed by fire in the Nanto Burning, leaving only the lower half of the body and some other parts, after which Shunjoubo Shigen began recasting it, and in 1185, an consecrating ceremony was held. In 1567, however, it was burned down again in the Battle of Todai-ji Daibutsuden, and the head was recasting in 1690, and an consecrating ceremony was held in 1692. The pedestal and sleeves of Great Buddha are original, but most of the body was recasting in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) and the head in the Edo period (1603-1868).

【Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden, 大仏殿)】

Great Buddha Hall (National Treasure) was rebuilt in 1705. Great Buddha Hall is about 46.8 meters high, 57 meters wide, and 50.5 meters deep. In addition to Great Buddha, Great Buddha Hall also houses two statues of Nyoirin Kannon and Kokuzo Bosatsu as supporting statues. Great Buddha Hall has a hole in the northeast pillar of the Demon Gate, and it is said that diving through the hole will bring good luck in that year or make you smarter. It is also said to bring blessings for good health and the fulfillment of prayers. The hole is about 37 cm long and 30 cm wide, the same as the nostrils of Great Buddha. Great Buddha Hall has a roof called mokoshi, which makes it look like a two-story building.

【Nandai-mon (Nandai-mon Gate, 南大門)】

Nandai-mon (Nandai-mon Gate, 南大門, National Treasure) was rebuilt by Shunjobo Chogen in 1199. Nandai-mon is about 25.46 meters high and uses 18 columns, each about 21 meters long. Nandai-mon houses two statues of Kongorikishi which were completed in 1203. The two Kongorikishi statues are about 8.4 meters high. The two Kongorikishi statues were carved in only three months.

【Nigatsu-do (Nigatsu-do Hall, 二月堂)】

Nigatsu-do (National Treasure) was rebuilt in 1669. Nigatsu-do houses two statues of the eleven-faced Kannon, which are said to be OhKannon (Great Kannon) and KoGannon (Little Kannon). Omizutori (Shuni-e, Otaimatsu) is held at Nigatsu-do every March. Nigatsu-do is built in the same architectural style as Kiyomizu-dera’s main hall, Kiyomizu-no-butai. Nigatsu-do is open to visitors 24 hours a day. The sunset at Nigatsu-do is beautiful and is said to be one of the most famous sunsets in Nara.

【Hokke-do (Hokke-do Hall,Sangatsu-do, Kensaku-do, 法華堂, 三月堂, 羂索堂)】

Hokke-do (National Treasure) consists of a back part where Buddhist statues are enshrined and a front part for worship. The back part is said to have been built around 747 as the hall of Kinshosen-ji Temple (Kinsho-ji Temple). The front part was built in 1199. Hokke-do houses the statues of Fukukensaku Kannon, Bonten, Taishakuten, two Kongorikishi, Shitenno, and Shukonbojin.

【Kaizando-do (Kaizando-do Hall, 開山堂)】

Kaizando-do (National Treasure) was built in 1200 for the inner part and in 1250 for the outer part. Kaizando-do houses the statue of the first chief priest, Roben. Kaizando-do is only open to the public on December 16th, the anniversary of Roben’s death.

【Honbo Kyoko (本坊経庫)】

Honbo Kyoko (本坊経庫, National Treasure) was built in the Nara period (710-793) and moved to Tonan-in Temple in 1714. However, when Tonan-in Temple was closed down, Honbo Kyoko was left behind.

【Tengai-mon Gate (Tengai-mon, 転害門)】

Tengai-mon Gate (National Treasure) is said to have been built around the Tenpyo-Hoji period (757-765) and repaired in the Kamakura period (1192-1333). It is said to be a relic of the Tenpyo period, having survived the Nanto Burning in 1180 and the Battle of Todai-ji Daibutsuden in 1567.

【Sho-ro (Bell Tower, 鐘楼)】

Sho-ro (Bell Tower, 鐘楼, National Treasure) was rebuilt by Eisai during the Jogen period (1207-1211). Sho-ro was cast in 752, and it hungs Bonsho (temple bell, 梵鐘) called Nara Jiro.

【Hakkaku-toro (Octagonal Lantern, 八角燈籠)】

Hakkaku-toro (National Treasure) is said to have been cast during the construction of Todai-ji Temple in the Nara period (710-794) . Hakkaku-toro is about 4.6 meters high and made of gilded bronze. Hakkaku-toro is embossed with a lion running in the clouds and a tennin (celestial) being playing a flute and sho.

【Shigatsu-do (Shigatsu-do Hall, Zanmai-do, 四月堂, 三昧堂)】

Shigatsu-do (Shigatsu-do Hall, Zanmai-do, 四月堂, 三昧堂, Important Cultural Property) was rebuilt in 1681. Shigatsu-do houses the statues of the eleven-faced Kannon, Fugen Bosatsu, and Amida Nyorai.

【Other Highlights】

★Chu-mon (Chu-mon Gate, 中門, Important Cultural Property) was rebuilt around 1716. Chu-mon houses two statues of Jikoku-ten (left) and Tamon-ten (right) on both sides of the gate.
★Nenbutsu-do (Nenbutsu-do Hall, 念仏堂, Important Cultural Property) was built in 1237. Nenbutsu-doo houses the statue of Jizo Bosatsu sculpted by Kosei in 1237.
★Hokke-do Kyoko (本坊経庫, Important Cultural Property) is said to have been built in the early Heian period (794-929).
★Kagami-ike Pond (鏡池) is located on the east side of the approach road connecting Chu-mon and Nandai-mon. The name of Kagami-ike Pond comes from the fact that there is an island in the pond shaped like a mirror with a handle. The island is dedicated to Benzai-ten. Wataka (horse fish), a natural treasure of Nara Prefecture, are said to live in Kagami-ike Pond.

【Remarks】
National treasures, important cultural properties, and other cultural assets may be closed to the public.
東大寺見どころ (Todai-ji Temple Highlights)