guided tours of Nara, Japan 奈良を英語で紹介しよう！

Todaiji – 02 Great South Gate

Now, I am going to take you to “Todaiji”.

Here, we are standing in front of the Great South Gate.  This is the starting point of our tour.

This gate is the main gate of Todaiji.

Todaiji was constructed in the middle of  8th century and in that time this gate was also constructed.

However, the gate we see is the reconstructed one, because the original one was destroyed by a typhoon in the 10th century.

This gate was reconstructed in the beginning of 13th century.

It is famous for its  Chinese-influenced style, and it is designated as a National Treasure.

Please look at two wooden statues of guardians, here.

These are the largest wooden statutes in Japan.

These muscular statues are called “Nio” in Japanese.

” Nio” means “generous king” but actually they are guardians of the Great Buddha.

Kings also serve for Buddha, it’s interesting..

They are a pair.  One opens its mouth  like saying “a” and the other one saying “un”

This pair express a whale universe, because ” a “  is the first letter of Sanskrit alphabet, or beginning of universe, and “un”  is the last letter of it.  It also indicates the end of universe.

They are very famous and almost Japanese know them because we see them on the history text book.

These sculptures are masterpieces in the 13 century.  It was when Samurai warriors had power and they were fond of so muscular, powerful statues.

next >>> the Great Buddha Hall