Hōryū-ji(法隆寺, lit. Temple of the Flourishing Law) is a Buddhist temple that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Its full name is Hōryū Gakumonji (法隆学問寺), or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, the complex serving as both a seminary and monastery.
The temple's pagoda is widely acknowledged to be one of the oldest wooden buildings existing in the world, underscoring Hōryū-ji's place as one of the most celebrated temples in Japan. In 1993, Hōryū-ji was inscribed together with Hokki-ji as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site under the name Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area. The Japanese government lists several of its structures, sculptures and artifacts as National Treasures. A study of its shinbashira, the central wooden column almost suspended inside the Tō in 2001 led to a conclusion about the structure being older than previously thought by a century.
History
The temple was originally commissioned by Prince Shōtoku; at the time it was called Ikaruga-dera (斑鳩寺), a name that is still sometimes used. This first temple is believed to have been completed by 607. Hōryū-ji was dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing and in honor of the prince's father. Excavations done in 1939 confirmed that Prince Shotoku's palace, the Ikaruga-no-miya (斑鳩宮), occupied the eastern part of the current temple complex, where the Tō-in (東院) sits today. Also discovered were the ruins of a temple complex which was southwest of the prince's palace and not completely within the present temple complex. The original temple, named by modern historians and archaeologists Wakakusa-garan (若草伽藍), was lost, probably burned to the ground after being hit by lightning in 670. The temple was reconstructed but slightly reoriented in a northwest position, which is believed to have been completed by around 711. The temple was repaired and reassembled in the early twelfth century, in 1374, and 1603.
Notable exhibits at the exhibition in Nara will include a statuette of Bodhisattva in Pensive Pose from Chuguji temple; a standing statue of Kannon Bodhisattva (Kudara Kannon) from Horyuji temple; ...
The 13-day Reveal the Traditions of Japan journey whisks you from the futuristic skyline of Tokyo to the traditions of Kyoto and the spirituality of the historic HoryujiTemple in tranquil Nara.
IKARUGA, Nara Prefecture—A ceiling board bearing graffiti of a man’s face is among 3,284 wooden pieces affiliated with the Kondo main hall of Horyuji temple that are expected to be collectively designated a national treasure.
HAARP...Ancient Japan, HoryujiReptilian. The Horyuji Temple in Nara, Japan, completed in 607 AD, is renowned for depicting the healing power of Buddha ... Why would such a creature be featured in a temple dedicated to Buddha’s healing power? ... 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4.
Horyuji temple is the world’s most ancient wooden structure that survives to this day, essentially unchanged ... Horyuji temple, also known as Horyu Gakumonji, the learning temple of the flourishing law, ...
IKARUGA, Nara Prefecture--Horyuji temple here will hold a limited public showing in May of its precious Buddhist mural paintings, which were scorched in a fire at the Kondo main hall in 1949, it was announced April 2.
It is one of the “three famous pagodas of Japan” along with those at Horyuji temple in Nara and Daigoji temple in Kyoto, and it is the only national treasure in Yamaguchi ... visited the temple site.
Interestingly, the absence of a stone ceiling led the team to speculate that these stones may have been repurposed in the construction of Horyuji temple, which was completed during the early seventh century.
Archaeologists have been excavating the area located near the World Heritage site encompassing Horyuji temple since spring 2022 ... build Horyuji temple, which was completed in the early seventh century.
"For example, in Japan, there are buildings like the HoryujiTemple that was built in the sixth century and has existed for 1,500 years," Mizuno said ... "In Japan, the Horyuji Temple is a famous wooden structure that is over 1,300 years old.
IKARUGA, Nara Prefecture—Japan’s oldest Buddhist paintings moved a step forward to their first public display since they were badly damaged in a 1949 fire at Horyuji temple here ... The temple, a World ...
It was completed in March last year. In comparison, the famed five-level pagoda of Horyuji temple in Nara Prefecture, the nation’s oldest existing wooden structure, stands 32.5 meters tall ... DRAWBACKS TO OVERCOME ... AFFORDABLE HYBRIDS ... Mitsui Fudosan Co.
