Asuka Exhibition Hall of the Nara Prefectural Cultural Property Research Institute

Nara Kokuritsu Bunkazai Kenkyujo Asuka Shiryokan (The Asuka Exhibition Hall of the Nara National Cultural Property Research Institute) is located in the Asuka region of Nara Prefecture. The Asuka region was once the center of Japanese political and cultural life, with the capital sited here for more than 100 years from late in the 6th century. The Asuka period is so-named because this is the period when Buddhism was brought from the Asian continent and Buddhist art flourished, a time when new learning and technologies were arriving in Japan in rapid succession. Many historical artifacts remain in Asuka, including the remains of shrines and temples, tumuli (burial mounds) and stone structures. The museum provides easy-to-understand displays on these remains and artifacts. Displays include relics from the Takamatsu-zuka Tumulus with its colored murals, and from Asuka-dera, which was the full-scale Buddhist temple in Japan. A replica of a stone structure called a shumisen-seki, typical of the Asuka period, can be seen in the garden.

Nara Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan (Nara National Museum)

Nara Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan (The Nara National Museum) is located in Nara Koen, a park around which are the temples Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji Temples and the shrine Kasuga-taisha. The museum is distinguished by its focus on collecting and preserving cultural properties, including old works of art with a deep connection to Buddhism, and archaeological relics. To help visitors understand Buddhist art, the museum concentrates on a genealogical presentation of Buddhism and the transformation of Buddhism. Just as western art is much influenced by Christianity, so is Japanese art by Buddhism. Thus no discussion of Japanese art is complete without reference to Buddhism. Learning about developments in Buddhist art offers a glimpse of Japanese history. Visitors can also find out more about the history of Buddhism itself through exhibits showing the distribution of temples by age.

The Ruins of Heijo-kyu Exhibition Hall of the Nara Prefectural Cultural Property Research Institute

Nara Kokuritsu Bunkazai Kenkyusho Heijo-kyu-ato Shiryokan (The Ruins of Heijo-kyu Exhibition Hall of the Nara Prefectural Cultural Property Research Institute) collects and displays thousands of items of archaeological and historical material excavated from the ruins of the Heijo-kyo capital and Heijo-kyu Castle once located in the center of the capital. The Institute also houses a restored model and panorama of the Heijo-kyu buildings. The Heijo-kyo capital was established in 710 in the area around present-day Nara, and was modeled on Changan (present-day Xi'an), the capital of the Tang Dynasty in China. Around 200,000 people are said to have lived in this capital. The Heijo-kyo court lasted about 80 years until the capital was moved to Heian-kyo (present day Kyoto) in 794.

Nara Kenritsu Bijutsukan (Art Museum)

Nara Kenritsu Bijutsukan is located at the entrance of Nara Koen, a park which offers both history and natural beauty. The museum houses ukiyo-e woodblock prints, modern paintings, dyed cloth, armour and folklore resources. Major artworks kept at the museum include ukiyo-e such as Meisho Edo Hyakkei-Kameido Umeyashiki (The 100 Best Scenes of Edo and Ume Houses in Kameido) by Utagawa Hiroshige, Sumida-gawa Funa-asobi (Boating on the Sumida-gawa) by Kitagawa Utamaro, and Bijin-zu (Picture of a Beauty) by Soga Shohaku, a painter of the 18th century. Also in the museum collection is Hakuji-Hakkaku-Tsubo (Octagonal Pot of White Porcelain), a work by Tomimoto Kenkichi. Besides the permanent exhibitions of painting, sculpture and other artwork, scheduled exhibitions bring before visitors not only the fine art of Japan, but of the whole world.

Akishino-dera Temple

Akishino-dera was built around 780 at the request of Emperor Konin. It lost most of its buildings to fire during wars in the 12th century, and the present main hall was rebuilt in the 13th century. There is a wooded area in the grounds that stretches from the south gate, and the velvety moss-covered garden is tranquil, and beautifully arranged.The most well-known Buddhist statues among the 25 placed in the main hall is the standing statue of Gigeiten, the patron god of the arts, who is venerated by many artists. Its head was made in the 8th century and the body was made in the 13th century. It is roughly 2 m in height and has been designated one of Japan's Important Cultural Properties.

Hase-dera Temple

Hase-dera, located in the city of Sakurai, Nara Prefecture, is said to have been built by Emperor Tenmu, who is known for his activities in the 7th century. The Main Hall, a five-storied pagoda, and halls of various sizes can be seen halfway up the slope of Hase-yama, widely venerated as sacred ground by devotees of the Kanzeon-Bosatsu (believed to be the merciful goddess providing relief from suffering). The Juichimen-Kanzeon-Bosatsu (image of the eleven-faced goddess of mercy) enshrined here is also known by another famous name, Hase Kannon. The temple is famed for the splendor of its peonies and its maple in the fall.

Hokki-ji Temple (Ikejirini-ji Temple and Okamoto-dera Temple)

Legend has it that Prince Shotoku, who dedicated his life to spreading Buddhism, read and came to understand the Lotus Sutra (one of the Buddhist teachings) in a palace that was later turned into a temple in the 7th century. The 24 m tall, three-storied pagoda built in 708 is the oldest in Japan, and although most other buildings were destroyed by fire, this pagoda indicates what the temple would have looked like when it was built. It is designated a National Treasure due to being one of the very few surviving 7th century pagodas. It looks very much like the five-storied pagoda of Horyu-ji built under the same prince, and it is thought that it was constructed by someone who possessed the same technique as the person who built Horyu-ji.

Horyu-ji Temple

Horyu-ji is widely known as the world's oldest wooden construction, and it tells us how 6th and 7th century temples would have looked. At the end of the 6th century, Emperor Yomei wished to make a temple and a Buddhist statue as an offering so that he would be cured of his illness, but he died without fulfilling his wishes. It is believed that Horyu-ji came into being when Emperor Suiko and Prince Shotoku took over and built the temple and the Buddhist statue of Yakushi Nyorai, which was the center of worship in 607.The temple is divided into Sai-in Garan Temple, centering on the pagoda and the main hall, and To-in Garan Temple, centering on Yumedono Temple. Outstanding buildings from every era, including ancient ones from the 6th and 7th centuries, line up in grounds measuring approximately 187,000 sq m, and there are many treasures that have been passed down. There are approximately 2,300 items in 190 categories which have been designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. It was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in December 1993.

Kashihara-jingu Shrine

Kashihara-jingu, located in the city of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, was built in 1889 at the site of the Kashihara-gu where Japan's first emperor, Jinmu, is said to have acceded to the throne. The Main Hall and Kagura-den (hall for sacred dancing) were relocated here from the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and the other buildings were constructed in 1940. The deities enshrined are Emperor Jinmu and his consort Hime-tatara-Isuzu-Hime. A new national regime was inaugurated in 1868 with the end of rule by the samurai class, with the emperor as head of state, and the spirits of Emperor and Empress Jinmu were formally enshrined here in recognition of their status as the first generation of the Imperial Family.

Kasuga-taisha Shrine

Kasuga-taisha was built in 768 by Lord Fujiwara, a man of influence in those days, by the order of Emperor Shotoku. It is unique in that it enshrines four gods from important shrines around the country, such as Kashima-jingu of Ibaraki Prefecture, Katori-jingu of Chiba Prefecture and Hiraoka-jinja of Osaka. From the 8th century, accompanying the Fujiwara's prosperity, it grew as the shrine dedicated to the ancestors of the Fujiwara family. It also prospered as the shrine where the regent, the chief advisor to the Emperor, the Emperor and the retired Emperor all come to worship. The main shrine, constructed in a special shrine structure called Kasuga-zukuri, is designated a National Treasure. Not only the shrine but also. the mountain in the background -- Mikasa-yama -- has also been the object of worship.

Kinbusen-ji Temple (Zao-do)

Kinbusen-ji, located on Yoshino-yama in Nara Prefecture, is believed to have been built in the latter half of the 7th century by Enno-ozunu, founder and practitioner of the Shugen-do sect of Buddhism. The temple is known as the headquarters of the Shugen-do sect. The sect retains many elements of the mountain-worship native to Japan, and it is noted for its very severe ascesis being practiced in the mountains. In 1874, the government banned the Shugen-do sect and the temple was for a time left in a dilapidated state. In 1886, however, it was reconstructed as a temple of the Tendai sect, another sect of Buddhism. In 1948, it became independent and was known as the Kinbusen-Shugen-Honshu sect. The Zao-do (main hall) is designated as a National Treasure.

Kofuku-ji Temple

When the city of Nara was being built in 710, Fujiwara Fuhito, an influential politician of the time, relocated the temple of Umayasaka-dera from Asuka and renamed it Kofuku-ji. As it was a temple dedicated to the glory of the Fujiwara family, it prospered as the Fujiwaras' careers flourished in government. It lost vigor from around the 16th century, however, and buildings except for the Hokuen-do, the Tokon-do, and the dining hall were destroyed by fire in 1717. Since then, the present buildings have been rebuilt over time.The five-storied pagoda, the three-storied pagoda, the Hokuen-do, and the Tokon-do have been designated National Treasures. The extant ancient five-storied pagoda, was made in 1426 in accordance with traditional Japanese construction techniques. It measures 50 m in height, making it the second tallest pagoda in Japan. The three-storied pagoda tells us of the elegance of the 10th-11th centuries and is said to be the crowning work among three-storied pagodas.

Muro-ji Temple (Nyonin Koya)

There are a few theories as to how Muro-ji was founded. The mountain Muro-yama itself, where the temple stands, has been the object of worship since ancient times. It is also said that the temple was built on this land in the 8th century after five monks offered a prayer on the mountain for the Crown Prince's illness to be cured, and this had proved to be very successful. Since then, the temple has played a great role in the world of Buddhism as a place that welcomes monks from various Buddhist denominations. They come to develop their understanding of Buddhism.In contrast to Koya-san -- a place for Buddhist training to which only men were admitted -- Muro-ji welcomed female students of Buddhism as well. It was fondly called the "Women's Koya-san." The buildings of the main hall and nave, the statue of the eleven-faced Kannon, and the wooden statue of Shaka Nyorai are designated National Treasures.

Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple

Shin-Yakushi-ji was built in 747 by Empress Komyo, who was the wife of Emperor Shomu, so that she would be able to pray for a cure of the Emperor's eye ailment. Along with Todai-ji, Shin-Yakushi-ji was one of the biggest temples of that time. According to records, this temple consisted of a large number of buildings, and had 1,000 priests. Soon after this, the temple was destroyed by fire, perhaps as a result of being struck by lightning, so all that remains is the present main hall. The building is designated a National Treasure. The To-mon ("East Gate") and Jizo-do have subsequently been rebuilt.Yakushi-Nyorai-zazo, a seated statue that measures nearly 2 m, is the focus of worship at the temple. This image is carved out of a single block of wood. Other than the eyes, eyebrows and lips, which are colored, nothing has been used to alter the wood. The figure is a leading example of Buddhist sculpture of the 9th century. Also noteworthy are the twelve Shinsho-ritsuzo statues that stand around the image of the Yakushi-Nyorai-zazo. These are believed to have been produced in the 8th century. The oldest of their kind in Japan, they are collectively designated a National Treasure.

Taima-dera Temple

Tradition has it that temple of Taima-dera was established when the Imperial Prince Maroko, the brother of Prince Shotoku, who worked on spreading Buddhism, built the temple in 612. It was originally in the Kawachi region (part of the present Osaka). Because it was moved to the present location in 681 by Taima no Kunimi, a powerful figure of the time, it came to be known as Taima-dera. Its object of worship is a mandala, which is a painting that depicts the teachings of the Buddha. It is called Tsuzureori Taima Mandara-zu, and depicts such Buddha images as Amitabha, Kannon (the goddess of mercy), and the Bodhisattva of wisdom, and what Nirvana looks like. This mandala is also known from the Legend of Princess Chujo, which tells that the piece was woven in one night using threads made from lotus.

Todai-ji Temple

The original temple of Todai-ji was built in the beginning of the 8th century by the order of Emperor Shomu, who tried to rule the country under Buddhism. The center of worship, the statue of the Great Buddha, was completed in 752, and the overall buildings such as the Hall of the Great Buddha and the auditorium were completed soon after. It prospered as a place much like a school where Buddhist teachings were conveyed extensively and monks were educated. It was caught up in the vortex of war twice in its long history, and buildings such as the Hall of the Great Buddha were destroyed by fire. The present Hall of the Great Buddha was rebuilt in 1709, and major repairs were carried out in recent years as well. The Great Buddha, designated a National Treasure, is roughly 14 m tall, and is the largest metal statue of the Buddha in the world. This Great Buddha has also been remade due to the damage caused by war. The frontage the Hall of the Great Buddha is 57 m, with the depth of 50 m, a height of 47 m and is the world's largest wooden construction. Even so, it is considerably smaller than when it was originally made.

Toshodai-ji Temple

Toshodai-ji came into being when the Buddhist monk Ganjin came to Japan from China and set up a platform for the ordination of monks, opening a school for studying Buddhism in 759. The auditorium was made by transferring part of the Heijo-kyu Palace in the city of Nara, which is the only building of Heijo-kyu Palace that remains to this day, and which is designated a National Treasure.The construction technique called entasis, in which the central part of the pillar is raised, characteristic of Greek and Roman construction, is used in the main hall. Three Buddhist statues, the seated figure of Rushana Buddha and the standing figures of Yakushi-Nyorai and Senju-Kannon in the main hall, are all designated National Treasures. The standing figure of Senju-Kannon actually has one thousand hands and is Japan's oldest wooden Buddhist statue. The statue of Ganjin Osho in the shrine, in which the founder's image is installed, is said to be the crowning work of iconic sculpture.

Yakushi-ji Temple

Yakushi-ji was built in the year 680 by the Emperor Tenmu, praying for a cure to the illness of Uno-no-Sararahime-Miko (Empress under Emperor Tenmu, and later the Empress Jito). The temple was originally located in Fujiwara-kyo (the capital city from 694 to 710). In 718, it was moved to its present location in the capital at Nara. Due to numerous fires, including the flames of war, the only building that remains of the temple of that period is the To-to (the eastern pagoda, of the two pagodas situated on the east and west). This pagoda is designated as a National Treasure. The Kon-do (the hall that enshrines the main deity) was restored in 1976. The Sai-to (the western pagoda) was restored in 1981, with the Chu-mon (the gate situated between Nandai-mon and the main buildings) being restored in 1984, and a portion of the corridor being restored in 1991.The To-to pagoda, which has three roofs, is a three-storied pagoda. This pagoda is especially noteworthy for the small roof-like eaves on each story, which make it look like a six-storied pagoda. The Yakushi-sanzon, which is housed in the Kon-do, is a leading Buddhist image of the 7th century. It was greatly admired by Ernest Fenollosa, an American who contributed to the restoration of traditional Japanese fine art in the 19th century.

Nara calligraphy brushes

Nara was the capital of Japan, known as Heijokyo, from 714 to 794. In those days Nara was the center of both politics and culture, and it was then that craftsmen in Nara began to produce calligraphy brushes. Tradition has it that brush-making began when the monk Kukai, who had contributed greatly to disseminating Buddhism in Japan and was also an excellent calligrapher, introduced a brush-making method following his studies abroad in China. Brush-making here features everything from ordinary brushes for everyday writing to high quality brushes used by calligraphers, and there are also specialty shops that sell nothing but brushes. Production of brushes continues even to this day in the cities of Nara and Yamato-Koriyama as a traditional cottage industry, and Nara-fude was designated a traditional craft in 1977.