The Toshodaiji temple boasts rare examples of ancient architecture and sculpture. Less spectacular than some of the temples in expensively restored Nishi-nokyo which is its neighbor to the south, Toshodaiji nevertheless is the largest remaining example of Nara period architecture.
It has numerous period sculptures - the most celebrated is a 5-m (16.5-ft) thousand-armed Kannon statue.
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The Toshodaiji temple boasts rare examples of ancient architecture and sculpture. Less spectacular than some of the temples in expensively restored Nishi-nokyo which is its neighbor to the south, Toshodaiji nevertheless is the largest remaining example of Nara period architecture.
It has numerous period sculptures - the most celebrated is a 5-m (16.5-ft) thousand-armed Kannon statue.
For anyone interested in the history of Japanese art and culture, no visit will be complete bereft of a tour of Nara. Note that as well as it's magnificent cultural treasures; Nara offers the unlikely phenomenon of the world's most aggressive deer.
Although Kyoto endures as Japan's major historical and cultural centre, Japanese tourists, and you too should equally revere this the Kansai region's other fasinating historical center.
Naramachi is a famous neighbourhood of the Nara city; filled with beautiful old houses, tiny shops, eclectic art galleries, and facinating museums.
Found in the Nara Park and at the edge of the Sarusawa-ike pond is Kofukuji temple. It's impressive 50 metre or 165 foot, pagoda with 5 floors.
It is Japan's second-largest after the Toji pagoda which is located in Kyoto.
It is undoubtedly one of Nara's most photographed places. The present structure, which is still very old, as it dates from 1426, replacing some 5 pagodas each one destroyed by fire and then rebuilt.
In the past Kofukuji has comprised around 175 buildings, most of which have been lost. These include the Kasuga Grand Shrine, with which it has been closely associated for well over a thousand years. This is found at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa.
The surviving artworks of Kofukuji and other artifacts are housed in its newest building, the Museum of National Treasures. This is now a fire-proof building which was constructed in 1958 to honour Kofukuji's cultural and historic importance.
This is originally built part of museum. It is connected by a subterranean tunnel to a newer, tile-roofed structure just beyond it.
This museum of ancient art displays Buddhist statues and sculptural types from around the year 600 through the Middle Ages.
The permanent collection is housed in the old wing, and its fascinating exhibits showcase the development of Chinese influenced Buddhist art and design.
The gift shop in the underpass between the two buildings offers an excellent selection of quality souvenirs, reproductions, and posters of Nan culture.
Found on the west side of Nara Park is Todaiji, which—like many elaborate temple complexes—comprises many remarkable structures and artifacts.
Here you will find the majestic Nandaimon. standing over 19 m (63 ft) high and dating from 1199. Built in a classical Indian architectural style, this huge structure is only two-thirds the size of the original destroyed by a typhoon in 962.
The gate houses the two Benevolent Kings, guardian deities created in the twelfth century by master sculptors Unkei and Kaikei to guard the inner temple compound.
Pass through the gate (it means Great South Gate in Japanese) for your first view of the massive roof of the Daibutsuden straight ahead. This build, constructed around 1709, is only ⅔rds of the first one which was destroyed by fire decades before.
On the right of the door is Binzuru, a disciple of Prince Gautama (the Buddha's original name before achieving enlightenment). His statue is said to have special healing powers; sections of the statue shine with the polish of thousands—if not millions—of hands rubbing away ailments over the centuries.
At last you find Dalbutsu or Great Buddha inside a huge hall, in the oft-depicted posture of deep contemplation on a giant platform within a loop of massive lotus leaves.
At almost 15 metre, or just under 50 foot tall, the enormous bronze statue is somewhat shorter than the first one which constructed and covered in gold leaf, in the year 752. As with all Buddha images the positions of the hands are highly significant.
The Great Buddha's right hand is bestowing spiritual tranquility, while the left symbolizes the granting of wishes. Seated on one side is the Nyorin Kannon, in whose hand is a jewel used to answer prayers and grant wishes; on the other is Kokuzo, who embodies wisdom and happiness.
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Graphic showing average weather in Tōshōdai-ji in Celcius and Centimeters (Change to Farenheit and Inches)
Month | Temp °C | Rainfall Cm | Temp °F | Rainfall Inches |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | 2.5 | 53.4 | 36.5 | 21 |
Feb | 3.1 | 70.2 | 37.6 | 27.6 |
Mar | 6.4 | 105.1 | 43.5 | 41.4 |
Apr | 12.1 | 138 | 53.8 | 54.3 |
May | 17 | 129.7 | 62.6 | 51.1 |
Jun | 21.3 | 219.2 | 70.3 | 86.3 |
Jul | 25.9 | 174.3 | 78.6 | 68.6 |
Aug | 26.7 | 128.7 | 80.1 | 50.7 |
Sep | 22.7 | 198.6 | 72.9 | 78.2 |
Oct | 16.3 | 140.4 | 61.3 | 55.3 |
Nov | 10.5 | 81 | 50.9 | 31.9 |
Dec | 5.4 | 55.3 | 41.7 | 21.8 |
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