Jump to content

Asuka-dera

Coordinates: 34°28′43″N 135°49′13″E / 34.478731°N 135.820214°E / 34.478731; 135.820214
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Asuka-dera
飛鳥寺
The front gate to Asuka-dera
Religion
AffiliationShingon-shu Buzan-ha
DistrictTakaichi District, Nara
PrefectureNara Prefecture
DeityGautama Buddha
Location
CountryJapan
Asuka-dera is located in Japan
Asuka-dera
Shown within Japan
PrefectureNara Prefecture
Geographic coordinates34°28′43″N 135°49′13″E / 34.478731°N 135.820214°E / 34.478731; 135.820214
Architecture
FounderSoga no Umako

34°28′43″N 135°49′13″E / 34.478731°N 135.820214°E / 34.478731; 135.820214

Front of the Main Hall at Asuka-dera, Asuka, Nara
Great Buddha of Asuka-dera

Asuka-dera (飛鳥寺), also known as Hōkō-ji (法興寺), is a Buddhist temple in Asuka, Nara. Asuka-dera is regarded as one of the oldest temples in Japan.

Temple complex

[edit]
Model of Hōkō-ji Temple at the time of its construction.
A part of the 1/1000 model of Fujiwara-kyō in the Kashihara-shi Fujiwara-kyō reference room.

A number of records refer to the origin of the temple, such as the Nihongi and Fusō-ryakuki. The original buildings of what was then called Hōkō-ji were constructed in 588, shortly after the introduction of Buddhism to Japan, under the orders of Soga no Umako.[1][2] The temple was built using the guidance of masters and artisans from the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje.[3]

Following the transfer of the capital from Asuka to Heijō-kyō (now Nara city), the buildings of Asuka-dera were also removed from the original site in Asuka to Nara in 718 CE, and developed into a huge temple under the name of Gangō-ji. The original site of Hōkō-ji was also maintained as a temple, which survives into modern times.[4]

The main object of worship at Asuka-dera is the bronze Great Buddha, which said to have been made by Kuratsukuri no Tori in the early seventh century. The statue is designated as an Important Cultural Property.

Sculpture of Prince Shōtoku depicted as a bodhisattva in Asuka-dera, Asuka, Nara

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kawagoe, Aileen (2008-12-20). "How Buddhism took root in Japan". Heritage of Japan.
  2. ^ Aston, William. (2005). Nihongi, p. 101.
  3. ^ "ASUKA/Asukadera". Asuka Historical Museum. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  4. ^ Martin, John et al. (1993). Nara: A Cultural Guide to Japan's Ancient Capital, p. 121;

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]