Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple) is one of Japan's most famous temples and a landmark of Nara. Located in Nara Park, in central Nara, Todaiji was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan.
Todaiji derives its name from its location east of Nara, which was the capital of Japan when it was built. Today, the temple serves as the Japanese headquarters of the Kegon school of Buddhism.
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The main entrance to the temple is through the 13th-century Nandaimon (Great Southern Gate). It features two impressive guardian statues of the Nio (Benevolent Kings), carved in 1203 and each more than 8 meters tall.
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The original complex also contained two 100-meter-high pagodas, probably the tallest buildings in the world at the time, but these were destroyed by earthquake.
Todaiji is famous for housing Japan's largest Buddha statue, commonly known as the Daibutsu (Great Buddha). The Daibutsu is made of copper and bronze, weighs 250 tons and stands 30 meters tall. His intricate hairstyle is made of 966 bronze balls.
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Also of interest in the Daibutsuden are the rear support pillars, which have holes through the bottom. Popular belief has it that if one is successful in squeezing through one of these "healing pillars," he or she is guaranteed a place in Heaven.
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Outside the Daibutsuden at the bottom of the steps, don't miss the bronze Octagonal Lantern, one of the oldest treasures in Todaiji — it dates from the original 8th-century temple. The lantern's support post is inscribed with a Buddhist text on the merits of lighting lanterns.
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The DEER
According to the legend of the Kasuga Shrine, a mythological god Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara on a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijō-kyō. Since then the deer have been regarded as heavenly animals, protecting the city and the country.
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Tame deer roam through the town, especially in Nara Park. Snack vendors sell "shika sembei" (deer biscuits) to visitors so they can enjoy feeding the deer. Some of the deer have learned to bow in response to tourists' bows.They nudge, jostle, and even bite for food.
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Festivals
Omizutori, the most common name for Shunie, a series of events held annually from March 1st to March 14, at the Todaiji temple. This ceremony is an enormous collection of Buddhist Repentance Rituals that have been held every year for over 1250 years making it the oldest recurring Buddhist event in Japan. The Omizutori is performed at Nigatsudo Hall, which is a sub complex of Todaiji. Omizutori stands for “second month hall” which refers to the second month of the lunar calendar when Omizutori is held. There are great deals of events that are held during Omizutori. Otaimatsu is the most famous and showy. Every night from March 1st to march 14th, just after sunset, giant torches which, are about 6 to 8 meters long, are carried to Nigatsudo’s balcony and held over the crowd. The embers that fall from the torches are said to give to the audience a safe year.
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Another popular event done in Nara is the Wakakusa Yamayaki event, held in January. During this event, the grass of the Wakakusayama mountainside is set on fire and can be seen throughout the city. Before the actual burning of the hillside, a series of minor events occur. There is a contest for throwing an extra large Sembei cracker, which tourists know is what the deer food in Nara Park is. The fee to do it is 300 Yen, and has a long line. Apart from the cracker throwing, there are stages with local dancers and a few other shows. The actual burning ceremony starts at 5, which is when a procession of men carrying torches walk from the Silk Road Exchange Hall in Nara Park to the mountain, and on the way perform a series of rituals. At around 6 PM a large fire is made just below the thick grass. But while waiting for the mountain to be lit on fire there is an entertaining 15 minute fireworks show that is held.
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