DAIBUTSU-DEN+PHOTO+GALLERY



Constructed in 752, Todaiji is one of Japan's most famous temples. It gets its name from its location just east of Nara and translates to "Great Eastern Temple." Founded by Emperor Shomu in the late 700's, Todaiji was the central temple for provincial monasteries in Japan. The temple had such influence that for a time in 784, the capital of Japan was moved from Nara to Nagaoka to reduce its influence on the government.

Todaiji is the largest wooden building in the world, although it has had to be reconstructed numerous times due to earthquakes and currently stands at two-thirds of its original size. The only parts that remain of the original Todaiji are the Tegai gate and the inner sanctuary of the Hokke-do (Sangatsu-do). The photo above is of the Nandai-mon (Gate South Gate) that is the primary remaining structure from the rebuilding of Todai-ji in the early Kamakura period after it was burned in the early days of the Gempei War (1180-1185).

The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) was finished in 752 and is an image of the Birushana (Buddha Vairocana, central Buddha to the Kegon sect of Buddhism). As the largest Buddha in Japan, many legends surround its creation. Some 2,600,000 people are said to have helped make it, and the large amount of copper and bronze used to make the Daibutsu nearly bankrupted the country. Weighing 250 tons and standing 30 meters tall, the Daibutsu has required less upkeep than the Todaiji. The current statue dates back to 1692, having been recast during the Tokugawa shogunate.


 * **Image of Great Buddha in Nara, Its Sizes** ||
 * ~ [[image:http://narashikanko.jp/english/buddha/img/size01.gif width="426" height="360"]] || Sitting height || 1,498cm ||
 * ^  || Length of the face || 533cm ||
 * ^  || Width of the face || 320cm ||
 * ^  || Length of the eye || 102cm ||
 * ^  || Width of the nose || 98cm ||
 * ^  || Height of the nose || 50cm ||
 * ^  || Length of the mouth || 133cm ||
 * ^  || Length of the ear || 254cm ||
 * ^  || Length of the palm || 148cm ||
 * ^  || Length of the middle finger || (left)108cm ||
 * ^  || Length of the sole || 374cm ||
 * ^  || Thickness of the knee || (left)223cm ||
 * ^  || Height of the bronze pedestal || 304cm ||
 * ^  || Height of the stone pedestal || 252~258cm ||