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Todaiji – 01 History

Deer - around Todaiji

I am going to tell you why Todaiji was constructed in the middle of  the 8 th century.

In the beginning of the 8 th century,  Nara was a capital of Japan.

At that time, Japan suffered from a series of disasters and epidemics.

For exemple, they had  an outbreak of small pox, poor harvesting etc.

Also coup d’etat and rebellion happened so that the country was so chaotic.

The emperor at that time, called “Shomu”,  thought the religion was the only means to heal such troubled times.

So in the middle of the 8 th century, in 741, he ordered to construct “a provincial temple” in each of 62 provinces.

Todaiji was the main temple of this provincial temple-system.

2 years later, he also ordered to erect a Great Buddha Image.  It was finally completed after 11 years.

next >>> Great South Gate