[Nara ]Double the fun if you know what to do before you go! How to visit Horyu-ji Temple, Nara

Middle Gate

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喜多 美佐緒(@misaokita)がシェアした投稿

This Naka-mon gate here is the main gate of the Saiin temple complex.
Although the gate is now fenced off, visitors were originally able to enter the Seiin Garan from here.

The two statues of Kongorikishi on either side of the central gate are the ones you should pay attention to. In fact, these statues of Kongorikishi are the oldest in Japan, created in the Nara period (710-794)!
Originally, both the A- and Un-forms were made of clay, but the Un-form has been damaged by years of rain, and now the body part is made of wood.

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秋丸 知貴(@tomoki_akimaru)がシェアした投稿

Once you pass the middle gate, pay attention to the pillars of the cloister.
Actually, this is an architectural structure called "entasis ". If you look closely, you can see that the middle of the column is slightly thicker.
It is said to be common in ancient Greek temples, but Horyuji Temple is the only historical building in Japan where entasis columns can be seen.
It may be difficult to see unless you look carefully, but please pay attention and walk around.

main temple structure (sanctuary, hall)

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Macky716(@h.macky_716)がシェアした投稿

Kondo is the oldest building in Horyuji.
Inside are enshrined Buddhist statues designated as national treasures and important cultural properties, including the three main images of Shakyamuni, Yakushi Nyorai, and the three images of Amida.
All of the Buddha statues are must-sees, but the one that deserves the most attention is the three images of Shakyamuni. The gentle, smiling faces of the three statues of Buddha are especially noteworthy. ......
While many of the Buddha images have a crisp expression on their faces, the three images of Shakyamuni smiling at you will surely soothe you. Please check them out when you visit Kondo.

Five-story Tower

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龍 治男(@drag_on)がシェアした投稿

The five-story pagoda at Horyu-ji Temple is known as the oldest five-story pagoda in Japan.
At the bottom of the pagoda is a group of plastic statues (a large number of statues made of clay) made at the beginning of the Nara period (710-794), representing scenes from the time of the Buddha's death and the splitting of his bones.

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haniwankofun(@haniwankofun)がシェアした投稿

By the way, did you know that the five-story pagoda of Horyu-ji has six different roofs, even though it is a five-story pagoda?
In fact, the lowest roof is called a mokoshi, or a storey to shelter it from the wind and rain.
Incidentally, not only the five-story pagoda but also the Kondo (main hall) has a costume floor. If you visit Horyuji Temple, please look for the Kokaido.

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NAOKO(@n.mizusawa)がシェアした投稿

The exterior of the five-story pagoda is full of other unique decorations.
For example, an evil demon supporting the roof and a dragon wrapping around a pillar. It is also strange that there is a sickle on the phase ring (the part with the topmost ring).
None of them are said to be from the time of the founding of the temple, but were installed as reinforcements or spells.

large auditorium

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中武 壮以知(@nakataketiger)がシェアした投稿

Horyu-ji Temple, also called "Horyu Gakkenji ", was actually a place where monks studied Buddhism.
This large lecture hall was like a classroom, where monks gathered to study Buddhism.
Upon entering, one can see a large statue of Yakushi Sanzon, with two high seats lined up in front of it.
At that time, the teachers did not write on the blackboard as they do now, but rather they sat on this high seat and conducted one-on-one study in a question-and-answer session.
The main lecture hall is a place where one's attention is drawn to the three statues of Yakushi Sanzon, but if you go to the trouble of visiting, please be sure to check out the high seat as well.

When visiting, also check out the Seven Wonders of Horyuji Temple!

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nyam boo(@tatsue_chang)がシェアした投稿

"There are many aspects of Horyu-ji that have yet to be clarified, such as when it was built ""and what the intention was in choosing this structure ". Particularly enigmatic are the "Seven Wonders of Horyu-ji ".

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キタダ(@kitada504)がシェアした投稿

[Seven Wonders of Horyuji Temple ]
1.Horyuji Temple is not webbed by spiders.
2. in front of Namdaemun, there is a mysterious stone called "Taiishi (stone of sea bream) "
3. five-story pagoda with a sickle on top
4. three mysterious fusehouses.
5. all the frogs in Horyuji Temple have one eye missing
6. the bottom of the courtesy table in the dream hall is sweating.
7. no holes caused by rainfall

As one would expect, it is not possible to check everything, but there are a few places, such as the sickle on top of the five-story pagoda, that you can actually see and check.
Incidentally, the sickle on top of the five-story pagoda is attached as a lightning rod to protect the building from lightning strikes, although there are various theories, it is said to have the meaning of "cutting the wind = avoiding typhoons "from the meaning "cutting "of a spell.

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しば犬(@take_shiba)がシェアした投稿

The Tai Stone in front of Namdaemun is another one of the Seven Wonders that can be seen and confirmed in person.
One theory is that when the nearby Yamato River flooded, the river water did not rush in before the tai-ishi.
Legend also has it that Prince Shotoku stood on this stone and taught his disciples.
Indeed, such stories make the stone seem very mysterious.
When you visit Horyuji Temple, please check out these Seven Wonders.

You must see the many treasures at the Daihozoin.

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itsu yamada JAPAN(@bore1016)がシェアした投稿

After visiting Saiin Garan, be sure to stop by Dahozoin, which is located just beyond.
"The Dahozoin houses many of Horyu-ji's finest treasures, including the beautiful, eight-layered statue of Kannon, ", which has an impressive eight-layered body, "; the image of Kannon that changes bad dreams into good dreams, "; and the Tamamushi zushi, ", which is said to be the Buddhist hall of Emperor Suiko, ".
It is a museum-level attraction, so please take the time to visit it as well.

The best time to visit Yumedono is when you can see the hidden Buddha.

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茶猫(@chaineko.i)がシェアした投稿

Leaving the Dabozoin and moving further east, you will now reach the Toin Garan.
The octagonal building in the center of the temple complex, "Yumedono (Dream Hall) ", is the one to see here.
This is the main hall of the Toin temple complex, and inside is enshrined "a life-size statue of the Salvation Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) ", which is said to be a life-size statue of Prince Shotoku.

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倉田亘(@watarukurata1994)がシェアした投稿

For many years, the Salvation Kannon statue has been considered a complete secret. It is said that it was wrapped in a long cloth and even the priests of Horyu-ji could not see it at that time.
Later, the American philosopher Fenollosa, who visited Horyu-ji to survey its treasures, persuaded the temple, and the statue of Salvation Kannon was finally seen in the Meiji period.
However, even today, the statue of the Salvation Kannon remains a secret statue, so it is not usually possible to see it.
It can only be seen twice a year! If you want to fully enjoy your visit to Horyuji Temple, why not aim for the time of year when the Salvation Kannon statue can be seen?

[Special opening of the Dream Palace ]
Spring...April 11 ~ May 18
Fall...October 22nd to November 22nd

Let's also look for a monument to Shiki Masaoka's haiku.

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猫股　セグンダ(@supernatural.moneytime)がシェアした投稿

In the precincts of Horyu-ji Temple, there is a monument to a poem by Masaoka Shiki "If you eat a persimmon, the bell will ring. Horyu-ji Temple "
You can find it somewhere on the way from Saiin Garan to Daihozoin, so please look for it too.