Todai-ji

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(Todai-ji, 740, Nara Japan)

Japan always has its amazing one of a kind features, such as buildings, subcultures, and their notorious bullet trains; but what do these amazing features have in common with the Todai-Ji? 

Their all unique structures, that make Japan what it's known for and admired. Over many years, any types of objects are made, in the year 740, the Todai-Ji (Great Eastern Temple) was completed. Making this building 1280 years old, while also being one of the biggest projects ever done in Japan being 187ft accros and 159.4ft high. The reason for the Todai-Ji being so huge was for the purpose of bringing various clans under one rule. The rule, of Emporer Shomu, from the Nara era, during a time where Buddhism was a grand influence for the Japanese people. 

The creation of the Todai-Ji, was inspired by Buddhism, where as Buddhist monks and craftspeople played a role in the making of the Todai-Ji. Which was created to honor Buddisim, with its many towering statues. Such as, the great Buddha or Daibustu from the 17th century, created from bronze. Along with Ungyo and Agyo statues created in 1203, from cypress trees for its immense durability, these two statues can be found in Nandaimon at the great South Gate. These three statues served a great purpose to refect the power of religion as well as the power of the imperial house of Japan.

With something being as old as this building, many triles and tribulations must have occurred, considering its age. Durring the construction of this massive structure, taxtes caused hate twords the construction of the Todai-ji. Another incident happened durring the civil war of Genpei, 1180-1185 the Todai-ji was left destroyed, devistaded by this it had to be rebuilt. leaving some areas not as full as they once were. Leaving the mail hall half of its original size, and the padogas several stories shorter. 


(Todai-ji, model, Nara-era)  



Dr. Deanna MacDonald, "Todai-ji," in Smarthistory, November 27, 2015, accessed October 20, 2020, https://smarthistory.org/todai-ji/.


Japanese culture - Web Japan. Acessed October 21, 2020. https://web-japan.org/atlas/historical/his13.html.

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