NaraThe head temple of the Shōtoku sect isHoryuji Temple"teeth,
The temple complex includes the main hall and the five-story pagoda, as well as other structures that are considered to be among the oldest existing wooden buildings in the world.
The land of Ikaruga derives its name from the bird called Ikaru.Horyuji TempleIt was erected607 (15th year of Empress Suiko's reign)Regarding that,
Empress Suiko and Prince Shotoku enshrined a statue of Yakushi Buddha in order to cure Emperor Yomei's illness.Ikaruga-dera Temple (present-day Horyu-ji Temple)It is said that this began with the construction of [the building].
However, the first one was founded for Emperor YōmeiHoryuji Templeteeth,
64 years after its founding670 (9th year of Emperor Tenji's reign)The Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) records that it was destroyed by fire.
currentHoryuji Templeteeth,672 to 689It is believed that reconstruction began around that time.
1400 yearsAfter many years187,000㎡Within the vast grounds,
Numerous cultural properties exist, including 19 national treasure buildings.
Because it is a temple of cultural and historical importanceDecember 1993First in JapanWorld Cultural HeritageIt is designated as such.
"South Gate (National Treasure), Muromachi period"
The entrance to Horyuji TempleNamdaemun"The original one was,Eikyo 7 (1435)It was destroyed by fire.
Eikyo 10 (1438)The current gate was rebuilt at that time.
It is a three-bay, single-entrance gate with eight pillars and a single-story hipped roof.
Along with the South Gate of Todai-ji Temple (Nara City, Nara Prefecture), the Yomeimon Gate and Higurashimon Gate of Toshogu Shrine (Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture), it is one of Japan's three great gates.
NamdaemunPassing through it leads to the main gate.Five-storied pagodaYou will start to see it.
Early MayThe fresh greenery is beautiful, and the temple grounds are well-ventilated, making for a pleasant climate.
At Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, you can find them along the path after passing through the torii gate or in front of the main shrine building.Water basin for purificationIt is installed.
Water basin for purificationThis is a place where you wash your hands and rinse your mouth to purify yourself before praying.Temizuya"or"ChozuyaIt is called "[...]".
The origin and history of the water basin used for purification rituals.
In ancient times, when visiting a shrine, people would purify their hands with water from a nearby river or spring.
However, it has become impossible to secure clear streams and springs near shrines and temples.
It is said that the practice of setting up a hand-washing area within the temple grounds as a substitute for the traditional hand-washing method originated from the establishment of the temizuya (water purification pavilion).
Etiquette at the purification fountain
① Hold the handle of the ladle with your right hand and scoop up the water in one go.
② Wash and cleanse your left hand.
③ Switch the handle to your left hand and wash and cleanse your right hand.
④ Switch the handle back to your right hand, and cup your left hand to collect water and rinse your mouth.
④ Cleanse your left hand once more.
⑤ Finally, hold the ladle handle downwards and rinse it with clean water.
(Note: Do not put your mouth to the ladle when rinsing your mouth.)
"Central Gate (National Treasure), Asuka Period"
The deep, overhanging eaves of the main gate, which was the original entrance to the Western Precinct, the brackets and railings beneath them, and the entasis columns that supported them,
All of these buildings represent the pinnacle of Asuka-period architecture.
The imposing doors and the Kongo Rikishi statues (from the Nara period) standing on either side are the oldest surviving examples in Japan.
"Horyuji Kongo Rikishi Statue, Ungyo (closed mouth)"
Clay sculpture: Height 379cm (711 AD, Important Cultural Property)
With his mouth closed and glaring downwards to the left, standing on the left isUngyo statueis.
"Horyuji Temple Kongo Rikishi Statue, Agyo (Open-mouthed)"
Statue: Height 380cm (711: Important Cultural Property)
The one with his mouth wide open standing on the right isAgyo statueis.
The two statues were originally made using a technique called sculpting, where clay is added to a wooden core to shape it.
Ungata statue (left statue)It can be seen that the parts other than the face were remade in wood in the 16th century, resulting in a difference in color.
At the ticket office, you can purchase a ticket valid for three locations: the West Precinct, the Great Treasure Hall, and the East Precinct.Admission feeLet's pay.
Individual rates (per person): Adults: 1,500 yen / Elementary school students: 750 yen
Previously,Admission feeは1,000 yenHowever, due to the declining birthrate, the number of school trip students, who make up a large portion of visitors, has decreased.
The diversification of travel destinations is thought to have had an impact, and the templeChief Steward Masakaku Furuyateeth,
「We determined that a certain amount of donations would be necessary to maintain the temple, which houses many cultural artifacts."year2015The price has been increased.
Present your ticket at the reception desk, have it checked one by one, and then you can enter.
Upon entering the temple groundsFive-storied pagodaIt stands tall and majestically, the sacred hall that houses the principal image of Horyuji Temple.Main HallYou can see it on your right.
"Five-story pagoda (national treasure) Asuka period"
The tower is also called a stupa, and it is a structure used to enshrine the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha.
It is considered the most important building in a Buddhist temple.
It stands approximately 31.5 meters tall from its base and is known as the oldest five-story pagoda in Japan.
In this lowest level of the inner sanctuary, there is a group of clay statues created at the beginning of the Nara period.
The east side depicts the dialogue between Vimalakirti and Manjushri Bodhisattva, and the north side depicts the Buddha's passing (Nirvana).
The west side depicts the division of the Buddha's relics (sarira), while the south side depicts Maitreya Bodhisattva preaching.
If you go further inSutra RepositoryとLarge auditoriumYou will start to see it.
"Sutra Repository (National Treasure), Nara Period"
This building was constructed as a facility for housing scriptures,
Currently, the temple houses a statue of the Baekje scholar-monk, Gwanreuk (Heian period), who is credited with introducing astronomy and geography to Japan.
Furthermore, the hall contains one of the three sacred sites (the others being inside the main hall and in front of the large bathhouse).
It is said that the temple houses enough treasures to allow for the reconstruction of Horyuji Temple.
"Large Auditorium (National Treasure) Heian Period"
The Great Lecture Hall was built as a facility for studying Buddhist teachings and performing religious ceremonies,
Along with the bell tower3 years extension (925 years)It was destroyed by lightning.
The first year of the Shōryaku era (990)It was rebuilt at that time, and the principal image, the Yakushi Triad, and the Four Heavenly Kings statues were also created then.
"Corridor (National Treasure), Nara Period"
The corridor connects to the bell tower on the east side, the main lecture hall in the center, and the sutra repository on the west side.Saiin GaranIt forms the shape of.
Before the Heian period, the corridor closed off before reaching the sutra repository and bell tower, and the main lecture hall, sutra repository, and bell tower were located outside the corridor.
Furthermore, the fact that the east side is one bay longer than the west side is thought to be a consideration for the balance between the main hall and the five-story pagoda.
Inside the five-story pagoda, inside the main hallPhotography inside the building is prohibited.
A pleasant breeze is blowing through.Large auditoriumInto the interior.
Large auditoriumPhotography is prohibited inside, so I cannot show you, but it is flanked by the attendant figures of Nikko and Gekko on either side.Yakushi TriadIt is enshrined there.
This piece is not from the Asuka or Tenpyo periods, but rather from the late Heian period.
The three Buddha statues are each made of cypress wood using the joined-wood technique, and their rounded faces and plump bodies suggest that...
It is said to be a descendant of Jōchō, a leading Buddhist sculptor of the Heian period.
Large auditoriumThen, traditional Horyuji Temple events such as the Shushō-e and Busshō-e are held.
The Shushō-e, whose official name is "Saishōō Kyōsan Setsu," is a place of learning where Buddhist scriptures are recited and commentaries are given.
The five-story pagoda looks lovely from here too!
In front of the Holy Spirit Hall, the Mirror Pond is filled with water.
Back in the Meiji era, there was a teahouse by this pond.
We took a break here.Masaoka ShikiHe is famous for the haiku he composed spontaneously.
"As I eat a persimmon, the bell of Horyuji Temple rings."
"Shōryōin (National Treasure), Kamakura period"
During the Kamakura period, with the rise of the worship of Prince Shōtoku, in order to enshrine a statue of Prince Shōtoku (late Heian period),
This Holy Spirit Hall was created by remodeling the southern end of the East Hall.
Inside are three shrines, and in the central shrine is a statue of Prince Shotoku at the age of 45, which is also the principal image of Horyu-ji Temple.
The shrine on the left contains statues of Prince Yamashiro no Ōe, the eldest son of the Crown Prince, and his brother, Prince Shikikuri.
The shrine on the right enshrines statues of Prince Sotsumaru, the Crown Prince's brother, and the Goguryeo monk Eji (both designated as National Treasures).
As a hidden BuddhaEvery year on March 22It is unveiled during the memorial service (on the anniversary of the deceased's death).
If you go further inNet-sealed storageYou will start to see it.
Further inside, numerous national treasures are enshrined.Daibozoin TempleThere is.
"Net-sealed Treasure (National Treasure), Nara period"
This is a storehouse for storing temple treasures.
This storehouse isFutabaIt became a representative building of the Nara period, and
In the pastHoryuji TempleThere are warehouses like this33 buildingsIt is said that many more were built there.
"Daihozoin"
Baekje Kannon HallThe treasure houses of the east and west, centered around this area,
famousDream-Changing Kannon Statue (Hakuhō period)- It is said to be a Buddhist hall owned by Empress Suiko.Tamamushi Shrine (Asuka period)・
Sitting on the lotus pondGilt bronze Amida TriadThe principal deity isMrs. Tachibana Zushi (Hakuho era)Beginning,
One million pagodas and sandalwood craftsmanship introduced from ChinaNine-faced Kannon statue・Depicting celestial beingsSmall murals in the main halletc.
It houses many of Japan's most representative treasures.
If you go further inDongdaemunYou can see it.
Further ahead,Prince ShōtokuBuilt on the site of the Ikaruga Palace where he lived.YumedonoThere is.
"Dongdaemun Gate (National Treasure), Nara Period"
「NakanomonThis gate, also known as "[name of gate]", stands between the West Precinct and the East Precinct.
It seems that it was once built facing south on the east side of Kagami Pond,
It is said to have been moved to its current location around the Heian period.
This gate has an unusual three-building structure and is considered one of the representative buildings of the Nara period.
Not too spacious, just the right size.Horyuji TempleIt's not crowded and is very easy to visit, so I recommend it.
Even though it's a pleasant time of year, let's take a break and enjoy the cool air at a tea shop before heading home♪
Horyuji Temple
1-1 Horyuji-san'nai, Ikaruga-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara Prefecture TEL: 0745-75-2555
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
http://www.horyuji.or.jp/
