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Todai-jiTodai-ji © Vanni Archive/Art Resource, NY

Todai-ji

Nara, Japan. Various artists, including sculptors Unkei and Keikei, as well as the Kei School. 743 C.E.; rebuilt c. 1700. Bronze and wood (sculpture); wood with ceramic-tile roofing (architecture).

Curator Note

"National unity through Buddhism. Emperor Shomu, facing smallpox and rebellion, built the largest wooden building in the world to house a colossal bronze Buddha (Daibutsu). It was a desperate, massive state project to unify Japan under the protection of the Buddha."

Form

  • Architecture: Post-and-lintel wooden construction with massive bracket systems.
  • Scale: The Daibutsen (Great Buddha Hall) is huge (and the original was 50% bigger!).
  • Sculpture: The Great Buddha is 50ft tall (bronze); Nio guardians are dynamic wood.
  • Roof: Hipped roof with ceramic tiles and shibi (golden fishtails) on top.
  • Layout: Modeled on Chinese Tang dynasty palace architecture.

Function

  • State Temple: The head of the "Kokubunji" system (provincial temples).
  • Protection: Built to appease the gods during plagues and disasters.
  • Imperial Power: Demonstrated the Emperor's ability to marshal all Japan's resources.
  • Worship: Center for the Kegon school of Buddhism.
  • Education: A place for monk training.

Content

  • Daibutsu (Vairocana): The sun/cosmic Buddha, casting light on the world.
  • Nio Guardians: Ungyo (closed mouth) and Agyo (open mouth) by Unkei/Keikei (realism).
  • Deer: Sacred messengers of the Shinto kami (syncretism).
  • Pillars: One pillar has a hole (nostril of Buddha); squeezing through grants enlightenment.
  • Lotus Petals: The Buddha sits on a lotus etched with the Buddhist universe.

Context

  • Emperor Shomu: Issued the edict to build it in 743 C.E.
  • Nara Period: Japan was heavily mimicking Chinese culture.
  • Resource drain: The bronze required nearly bankrupted the Japanese economy.
  • Kei School: The Nio guardians (1203 C.E.) show the dynamic realism of the Kamakura period rebuild.
  • Destruction/Rebuilding: Burned down twice in civil wars; current hall is from the Edo period (1700).