Hello, everybody. Today, I'm talking about "Todai-ji," one of well-known temples in Nara prefecture, Japan. I believe that Nara residents will cry if you mistake it for the ones in Kyoto.
The temple is famous for having the Nara Daibutsu, and for being located in the Nara Park that a lot of wild deer, over a thousand, live in. So you can feed them outside the temples if lucky.
No doubt about how historically important it is. Now I don't mention about the history. The buildings have been there over 1,200 years, there are much more obscure details of the history. Taking a direct look would bring you to the right place, I guess.
Todai-ji means the Eastern Great Temple in Japanese. To tell the truth, Todai-ji doesn't finish alone, it is a part of the capital from 710 to 784. The center was the Heijo Palace, the Imperial Palace in Nara period. The precious temple was originally built in the east of the palace.
By the way, there is a temple "Seidai-ji" (the Western Great Temple) which was built in the west of the old palace.
We cannot see the palace that was already gone, but can imagine how it was by visiting the two temples which are still there.
I believe that Todai-ji is a clue for visiting bygone eras. Some in advanced nations including Japan seem to have lost a stage of life. Feeling the old stage is considered to be a help for'em right. Then, you will feel you are also a part of whole.