Horyuji Temple:        Japan’s First Cultural Heritage Site
    Horyuji is notable for being the oldest among the Seven Great Temples of Nara. It was founded in 607 A.D. by Prince Shotoku, renowned for his cultural and political contribution that helped shape Japan. The name Horyuji literally means “the temple of noble law” and the temple became Japan’s first World Cultural Heritage Site in 1993.
Due to the massive area of the temple complex, the temple is divided into two parts, the Western Precinct (Saiin Garan) and the Eastern Precinct(Touin Garan). On my visit to this temple, I bought a ticket at the reception hall in front of the Western Precinct. This ticket gives temple visitors like me exclusive access to the two precincts and the temple’s prized Gallery of Temple Treasures (Daihozoin).
The wooden South Main Gate (Nandaimon) serves as Horyuji’s main entrance. Upon entering the South Main Gate, I was greeted by several small shrines on the left and right sides of the graveled pathway. This pathway eventually leads to the Central Gate (Chuumon) where the oldest pair of Kongo Rikishi statues (fierce guardian deities of most Buddhist temples in Japan). Although faded and aged, they can be seen standing in an intimidating manner as they flank the Central Gate. Â
HORYUJI’S WESTERN PRECINCT
The Western Precinct of Horyuji refers to the area situated within the South and East Main Gates (Nandaimon and Todaimon) of Horyuji. Considered as the heart of Horyuji, this area is noted for housing several of the main structures of the temple complex and the Gallery of Temple Treasures (Daihozoin).
The main buildings of Horyuji can be found specifically in the Kairou or Cloister-Gallery, the vast enclosure where the Central Gate is located. These buildings are composed of the oldest structures of the temple, which date back over a century ago, such as the Main Hall(Kondou), the Five-story Pagoda (Goju no Tou), the Great Lecture Hall(Daikodo), the Sutra Repository (Kyozo) and the Bell House (Shoro), all of which are just a few steps away from each other.
Insert pic of South and Central Gate
I started my exploration of the temple by entering the two-story Main Hall of Horyuji. Inside this building are several bronze statues of Buddhist deities that come various sizes, all of which are as old the building itself. The largest of these statues is the statue of the Shaka Triad, a sculpture of Shaka Nyorai or Gautama Buddha with his two attendants. Other than the triad, statues made in honor of the members of the Imperial Family can be seen here, such as the statues of Yakushi and Amida Nyorai (known respectively as the Medicine Buddha and the Buddha of Light), both of them seated on lotus on the opposite sides of the hall. The halo on the Yakushi Nyorai statue has the history of Horyuji engraved on it. Other than the bronze statues, wooden statues from the Asuka Period (538 - 710 A.D.) can also be found in the Main Hall. These statues include the sculptures of the Four Heavenly Kings (the four Buddhist gods that guard the four main directions) and the statues of Bishamonten(leader of the Heavenly Kings) wielding a spear like a focused guard and Kichijoten (a goddess of good fortune) standing gracefully.
Towering a few steps away from the Main Hall is Horyuji’s Five-story Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Japan that stands a hundred feet tall. The pagoda was built around an enormous wooden pole made from a tree trunk. The pagoda contains several diorama-sized clay statues from the 700’s and are arranged in such way they depict four different important scenes in Buddhism.
Although entering the pagoda is prohibited, I was able to catch a glimpse of the clay statues placed inside the pagoda from the outside. The statues are arranged in such way they face the four main directions.  The eastern entrance of the pagoda contains a scene from a sutra where  a wealthy patron of Gautama Buddha named Yuimakoji is discussing with Monju Bosatsu, a Bodhisattva. On the northern entrance is a depiction Gautama Buddha attaining nirvana. The western entrance displays the Division of Gautama Buddha’s relics among his disciples and finally, the southern entrance features Miroku Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of the future, giving a lecture to his students.
Between the pagoda and the main hall is an octagonal bronze lantern with designs of a lion on each side. The lions all have a different facial expression but can be seen marching and facing the person looking at them. Behind this lantern is the Great Lecture Hall with the Sutra Repository and Bell House at its sides. Â
The Great Lecture Hall was a place where monks study and where memorial services are held. As I entered the hall, I immediately saw a sculpture Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha) and his two attendants and it felt as though I was being watched as I pass by the silent and empty  hall.
Insert pic of view of Horyuji from lecture hall
HALL OF PRINCE SHOTOKU’S SOUL
After my exploration of the Cloister-Gallery of Horyuji, I saw a serene pond with surrounded by several cherry trees in bloom. This picturesque pond leads another hall of Horyuji called the Hall of Prince Shotoku’s Soul (Shoryoin). Unlike the other areas of Horyuji, which are dedicated to Buddhist deities, this building is a worship hall to the revered founder of Buddhism in Japan, Prince Shotoku. It is said that the hall used to be a place where monks live, until converted into a worship hall during the Kamakura Period (1192-1333).
Not far away from the Hall of Prince Shotoku’s Soul are the latest buildings of Horyuji. These are the Kudara Kannon Hall and the Gallery of Temple Treasures. Built in 1998, these buildings were made to contain the treasures of the temple in order to exhibit the long, proud history of Horyuji.
Insert pic of Hall of Prince Shotoku’s Soul
GALLERY OF TEMPLE TREASURES
The Gallery of Temple Treasures is a collection of National Treasures that come from the different eras of Japanese history. Some of these treasure date back as early as the Asuka Period (538-710 A.D.). In contrast to the older buildings of Horyuji, the facade of the gallery has a striking vermillion color and is slightly more spacious.
Several of the National Treasures here include statues, paintings, sculptures and even weapons. Some of the artifacts kept here include the statues of several revered Buddhist deities. All of the statues have their own charm but the ones that particularly struck me the most  are the 9-Faced Kannon,possessing a crown of heads instead of her usual depiction of having several arms; Brahma, the four-headed god of creation and Jizo Bosatsu, a bald Bodhisattva with a halo and a spear that open the gates of hell. Apparently, Jizo Bosatsu is the figure depicted in several of the small bald statues that can be seen scattered throughout Japan.
Other rare National Treasures stored here include portraits and sculptures of the prominent Prince Shotoku during his different ages; the original 17 Article Constitution, one the world’s earliest written constitutions which is written by the prince; the Dream-changing Kannon, said to change bad dreams to good dreams; Tamamushi Tabernacle/Shrine, which resembles a jewel beetle (tamamushi in Japanese) and the One Million Pagodas, small miniature wooden pagodas that contain a fragment of a Buddhist sutra.
The Kudara Kannon Hall is one of the latest installments of Horyuji. This part of the temple to house this particular prized statue. The Kudara Kannon is a tall and slender statue of Kannon, an unusual depiction of the Goddess of Mercy thus giving the statue its charm. For a long time, this statue was placed in the Main Hall of Horyuji until 1998 when the Kudara Kannon Hall was built to enshrine this beautiful statue.
What makes Horyuji a very memorable place to explore? Based on my personal exploration of this place, it is the rich and majestic history of Horyuji along with the immense number of National Treasures that it holds is what made me so awe-inspired of this place. I find it amazing that throughout the ages of Japanese history, the temple still stands in its full glory  and is able to preserve the original state of artifacts in its possession. It’s truly a must-go place when one visits Nara.
