Todai-ji
The driving-force behind the temple of Todai-ji was Emperor Shomu – one of the Japan’s great architectural visionaries. In 737, the country had been ravaged not only by widespread smallpox, but also by a series of destructive earthquakes. Looking to appease the anger of the gods, the Emperor set about the creation of a colossal statue of the Cosmic Buddha, Vairocana. According to Buddhist philosophy, an undertaking of this magnitude would not only legitimize the emperor’s right to rule, but would also ensure divine protection for his empire.
The Emperor’s great Buddha statue would become the central icon of the new religious institution of Todai-ji. To house the colossal image, Shomu designed one of the largest temple complexes ever seen in Japan – and one of the great religious centres of ancient Nara. Until now, religion had been largely regulated by the state – the preserve of the upper classes. Shomu had already set up a system known as koku-bunji – a series of provincial religious foundations. The emperor now placed Todai-ji at the head of his state temple hierarchy in order to make Buddhism more accessible to the masses.
The Japanese had long been admirers of the political, spiritual and cultural achievements of the Chinese – and particularly those of the T’ang dynasty. The ambitious Todai-ji complex would celebrate Japan’s emulation of the Chinese model. Whilst the temple’s main hall (Daibutsuden) is nowadays referred to as being the largest timber-framed building in the world, the scale of Shomu’s original structure had, in fact, been even grander.
Date of Construction: Planning and construction on the Great Buddha statue and the Daibutsuden from c. 743 – 752; temple destroyed in 1180 and again in 1567.
Highlights: Guardian statues by Unkei and Kaikei (Great South “Nandaimon” Gate); Daibutsuden (“Buddha Hall”); Hall of the Third Month (“Sangatsudo”/“Hokke-do”)
- The Evolution of Todai-ji and the Flowering of Buddhism - 2:31
- The History of Todai-ji - 2:18
- The Nandaimon, Great South Gate - 2:33
- The Daibutsuden, Great Buddha Hall - 2:!8
- The Interior of the Daibutsuden and the Great Statue of Buddha Vairocana - 3:56
- The Sangatsudo, Hall of the Third Month - 2:45
- The Nigatsudo, Hall of the Second Month - 1:04
