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According to Todaji records 2.6 million people were employed to construct the original Daibutsuden wood building and more than half million worked on gold plating the bronze statue, which took five years.
- Daibutsuden
- The Buddha Statue
- Other Buildings
The Buddhist temple of Todaiji in Nara was originally commissioned by Emperor Shomu (r. 724-749 CE) but was not actually opened until 752 CE. The complex would not be entirely finished until 798 CE. It stood to the east of the imperial palace, hence its name 'Great Eastern Temple'. The purpose of the Todaiji was to act as the headquarters of a nati...
The Daibutsuden has to be big because it contains a 15-metre (49 ft) high cast bronze statue of a seated Buddha, the largest such statue in the world and weighing in at around 500 tons. It is a representation of Dainichi Nyorai (aka Birushana, Roshana Butsu or Vairocana), most important deity of the Kegon sect, with his right hand raised in the ges...
Other buildings at Todaiji include the Nandaimon (Great South Gate), rebuilt in 1195 CE, with its two 8-metre high (26 ft) figures of Nio guardians. Carved in wood, they were added in 1203 CE and are typical of Heian Periodsculpture. There is the Shoro (Belfry), which has the second largest bell in Japan, the Nigatsudo (Second Month Hall), and the ...
- Mark Cartwright
The construction of the temple was an attempt to imitate Chinese temples from the much-admired Tang dynasty. Though it was originally founded in the year 738 CE, Tōdai-ji was not opened until the year 752 CE.
The key-surviving example of this style is Tōdai-ji’s Great South Gate—Nandaimon—which dates to 1199. An elaborate bracketing system supports the broad-eaved, two-tiered roof. The Nandaimon holds the 2 massive wooden sculptures of Guardian Kings (Kongō Rikishi) by masters of the Kei School of Sculpture.
- I agree, it is reversed. Another fun way to remember is in Japanese HIRAGANA (alphabet), "Ah" sound is the first letter. "N" sound is the last lett...
- I believe the u is correct. Thanks for pointing this out.
- Since it was rebuilt several times(in 12th, 17th centuries and more), Todai-ji must've used up much more woods than it seems to have.
- Manhole covers are "covered" in this article: https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/03/the-beauty-of-japans-artistic-manhole-covers/
Built to impress, twice. When completed in the 740s, Tōdai-ji (or “Great Eastern Temple”) was the largest building project ever on Japanese soil. Its creation reflects the complex intermingling of Buddhism and politics in early Japan.
Feb 15, 2021 · Todai-ji Temple, also known as "Konkomyo-shitenno-gokoku-no-tera," was built during the Nara period by Emperor Shomu. The emperor commissioned the Daibutsu-sama (Giant Buddha), also called Rushanabutsu, as a prayer for prosperity, following Buddhist teachings. In 752, a grand ceremony was held to consecrate the statue and "open its eyes."
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Jun 20, 2023 · The Buddhist temple Tōdaiji in Nara Prefecture is a priceless trove of history and culture. Founded some 1,300 years ago, the UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the Great Buddha of Nara...
