• Todaiji is a Buddhist temple of Nara Prefecture, Nara City, Zoushi town and the headquarters of a Buddhist sect of Kegon. Rushana Buddha, Buddha of the sun or light, is assumed to be a principal image known as "Great image of Buddha of Nara". A present great image of Buddha pavilion was rebuilt in Edo period, and width is reduced to 2/3 compared with the hall at the Nara era of the creation this time though the great image of Buddha hall is known as the world's largest timber building. The Buddhist temple where wide beliefs are collected regardless of high and low from ancient times down to the present day as the temple of "Great Buddha", and it has had a large influence on the culture of Japan. The other name is "headquarters of provincial monastery." It governed whole provincial temples in Japan.

• Todaiji was built in 741 as "headquarters of provincial monastery" by Emperor Shomu who had advanced the country-making the Buddhism in center. The great image of Buddha construction, which was the big business that poured the national power, spent three years, and the open eye Buddhist service was held grandly in 752. Though greater part of halls and towers were burnt down by the south capital fire of Shigehira Taira, soon it has been revived in 1180 by the monk Chogen. However, it was burnt down again by Hisahide Matsunaga in 1567. A present temple was reproduced in middle Edo period. A famous Rushana-Buddha sitting image is enshrined in the precinct as "Great image of Buddha of Nara". The great image of Buddha hall (national treasure), Tengaimon Gate (national treasure) where the relic at the time of Todaiji creation leaves, South great gate as the most important work of the revival in the Kamakura age, the belfry, Hall of March (each of them are national treasures) and hall of February, such famous buildings are left. Moreover, many of excellent Buddhist images can be seen that represent the Tenpei age and Kamakura Period like the Deva king statues of Unkei and the Kaikei collaboration, the four Deva image in Kaidan-in temple. And it is one of the charms of Todaiji. It was registered in World Heritage as "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara" in December, 1998.

A lot of deer walk.	A priest and a deer.	Nandaimon or South great gate was rebuilt in 1199 by the monk, Chogen who reconstructed Todaiji too.
Deva king statues of Unkei and the Kaikei collaboration. Height 8.5m.		Nandaimon gate is the biggest temple gate in Japan. It is seen from inside.
Kagami or Mirror pond.	Walking to Central gate. Rebuilt in 1709.		Main hall.
Main hall or Great Buddha hall was constructed in 741 by Emperor Shomu as headquarters of provincial monastery. Width 57.5m, depth 50.5m, height 49m. Precinct is 400,000 m2.
Great Buddha was golden in 1300 years ago. Height 14.98m, seat height 3.05m, face length 5.33m, ear length 2.54m.
2.6 million people were gathered to make.		Buddhist saint of wisdom	Buddhist saint of guarding Buddhism.
Buddhist saint Tamonten, to guard Buddhism	Nyoirin-kannon, to fulfill every desire.	Lantern in Nara period.	Biggest wooden building in the world.

2008/01/01