Horyu-ji Temple
Founded by Prince Shotoku in 607 long before Kyoto was capital of Japan, Horyuji is a large temple south of Nara which houses the oldest wooden buildings in the world. |
|
View of the pagoda at
Horyuji Temple. |
|
Large hall at
Horyuji Temple. |
The temple's treasure house contains such priceless relics from the Asuka and Nara periods as the Kudara Kannon and the Dream-changing Kannon. |
 
|
Kudara Kannon and
Dream-changing Kannon. |
In the Tale of Genji, when Genji finds the young Murasaki in the Northern Hills, a distinguished prelate gives him "a rosary of embellished bo tree seeds, obtained by Prince Shotoku from Kudara" (an ancient Korean kingdom). |
|
Tori Busshi's Shaka Triad, cast in
the Chinese Northern Wei style. |
|
Approach to the Yumedono
(Hall of Dreams) at Horyuji Temple. |
|
Hexagonal Yumedono (Hall of Dreams) at Horyuji
Temple. |
|
Pond at Horyuji Temple. |
|
Yakushi Hall at
Horyuji Temple. |
|
Horyuji Temple's belfry. |
|
The parinirvana (nehan) of Shakyamuni depicted in the
pagoda of Horyuji Temple. |
