The Temples of Ancient Nara
Jan McDougal
The Fujiwara clan temple:kofu-ji
During the seventh centuries, many Asian countries pattern their capitals after the capital city of China's T'ang dynasty. In 710 empress Gemmei moved her palace from to rugged geograpical conditions to well-equipped heijo-kyo capital. It was renamed as the city of Nara The city of Nara, was one of the most significant capitals of the Ancient world. The constructions of Nara was to be constructed in a "perfect manner" that no modifications would be possible, and to display the "Asian continental" civilization flourish in Japan. It was a way to introduce the Buddhist culture.
The culture of Nara is represented through sensuous beauty and is expressed through its surviving and influential temples.
The earliest of the Nara temples was the Kofuku-ji. Which as built there sometime after 710 under the guidance of Fujiwara Fuito. It stood on a plateau, overlooking the entire capital. The choice of the picturesque area in Nara was evidence of the great nobleman Fuhito's strength of will.
In his book, Temples of Nara and their Art Ooka, Minura explains that "The golden hall" was the heart of the temple, and "The lecture hall" served as the place for Buddhist practice. The temple not only contributed to the artistic and the cultural enrichment to the community, but many of the Buddhist statues served as serenity for the people.
The Kofuku-ji temple played an important role in social welfare, providing social serves toward public welfare. During the civil war, the entire temple was burned to the ground several times.
Grand National Temples; Todai- ji Sadai- ji
In 685 the emperor Temmu, ordered to strengthen the character of Buddhism as a state religion. They issued that to every family that they must have a Buddhist altar to house Buddhist statues.
In 741, the Emperor Shomu ( 701 - 56) regulated that a national temple be built in each province, and a grand scale temple be built in the headquarters to supervise all the provincial temples. As a result the Todai-ji " The great east temple," which had begun constructing in Koga county was moved to Nara. "The great Buddha hall" was begun in 747 and was completed by 751. Like Kofuku - ji , Todai - ji attained high excellence, however, due to construction expenses the nation was in the first step of deterioration.
" The great east temple" was a center of learning and cultural growth. The original Great Buddha hall was destroyed by two wars. The remains are of the bronze lantern standing in front of the Great Buddha hall, which has been partially repaired. Also a large umber of Nara - period sculptural works and Tempyo art has been saved.
During the closing years of the Nara - period. A plan to built another temple was being raised. The Saidai temple was built, under the second accession to the throne Empress Shotoku ( 718 - 70 ) The temple was constructed with bronze statues of the "Four guardian kings" and the " Hall of the eleven - headed Kannon".
Due to rapid decline, there are only few of the Nara - period remains. Along with the "Four guardian kings" and the "Hall of the eleven - headed Kannon, there are four Buddha images that were enshrined.
Despite strong influences from China the Japanese were able to display unique and innovative artistic sense through art.
Bibliography
- Kawazoe, Noboru and Tango, Kenzo, Tango, Ise Prototype of Japanese Architecture, The M.I.T. Press, 1965
- Ooka, Minoru, Temples of Nara and their Art, New York, Weatherhill,1973
- Wilson, Colin, The atlas of holy places and sacred sites, New York,DK publishing, Inc, 1996
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