HORYU-JI

Located in Ikaruga, about ten kilometres from Nara and founded in 607 by Prince Shōtoku Taishi, this temple has the oldest wooden structure in the world and claims with strength and determination to be the national masterpiece of Asuka culture. It remains the oldest temple in Japan. To show his gratitude to Buddha for the healing of his father, the Emperor Yōmei (540-587), the prince Shōtoku had the temple built next to the Ikaruga no Miya Palace which he had built in 601. The Hōryū-ji consists of about forty buildings divided into two areas: the western part, or Sai-in, and the eastern part, or Tōin. There is also a northern part, Kitamuro-in. The treasure is located between the east and west wings.

Sai-in. It is in the western part (sai-in) that the main buildings of the Asuka period (7th and 8th centuries) are grouped: Chū-mon, Kon-dō and the five-storey pagoda Gojō notō.

Chū-mon. The middle door is topped by a single storey and opens onto the courtyard which contains the other buildings. The two guardian kings Nio, dating from 711, face each other. They are the two oldest earthen statues in Japan.

Kon-dō. Golden Pavilion. Main building erected on a stone base and consisting of two storeys with a four-sloped roof and two gables, the roof being a gable roof. The Four Guardians of the World (shi-Tennō), which are among the oldest wooden statues in the world, can be seen here.

Gojū notō. Five-storey pagoda, 32.50 meters high. Built according to the laws of perspective, it gives both an impression of great stability due to its wonderful proportions and height enhanced by the subtle narrowing of each floor.

Dai-Kōdō (reading room). North of the courtyard, closed by the gallery. The primitive building burnt down in 925 and a building from Kyōto was transferred to this site in 990. Inside, three statues, one of Yakushi Nyorai (this representation of Buddha called Yakushi is supposed to heal all suffering and diseases.

To the west of the Dai Kō-dō, the Kyō zō which dates from the 8th century, and to the east, the belfry (Shōrō) from the 9th century. To the west, backwards, the Saien-dō, built in memory of the wife of the prince Shōtoku, Princess Tachibana. A statue of Yakushi dating from the 8th century can be seen there.

Shōryō-in (temple of the soul from Shōtoku). Located east of the court, this building was built in 1121 in memory of the prince Shōtoku and houses several statues of the prince, his sons and the monk Eji.

Dai-Hōzōden (Great Treasure Hall). Contemporary double concrete construction dating from 1941. Works from the temple as well as pieces from kūfu zō (the treasure shop) are on display there (the others are in the National Museum at Tōkyō).

Tōin. The central part is occupied by the Yumedono (Dream Pavilion). This octagonal religious building is said to be the oldest in Japan. It dates from the Nara period (8th century). It is in this building that Prince Shōtoku Taishi received in dreams the answer to his philosophical questions.