Temples and Shrines of Nara, Japan
Experiencing significant cultural and historic sites should be a part of any visit to unfamiliar territory. And for many Semester at Sea voyagers, setting foot in Japan is their first experience in a foreign land. While many chose to explore this country on their own, others opted to take advantage of Semester at Sea guided field programs that combine the opportunity to see significant sights and learn of the history from an experienced guide. The trip to Nara provided such an opportunity to 38 voyagers.
Nara, located 90 minutes outside of Kobe, served as the capital of Japan from 710 – 784 AD. The city flourished as a center of religion and culture and today is home for numerous temples and shrines, many of which have been designated by the Japanese government as national treasures.
The Horyu-ji is a Buddhist temple that serves today as a seminary and monastery. The five-story pagoda standing more than 100 feet high is thought to enshrine a bit of bone of Buddha. Constructed from 2000-year-old Cyprus logs , the pagoda and nearby nearby main hall are acknowledged to be the oldest surviving wood structures in the world. A more recently constructed hall of treasures houses artifacts dating from the 7th century, including wood, clay and bronze figures, shrines, silk paintings and paper scrolls.
Todaiji Temple stands more than 150 feet high making it the largest wood structure in the world. And it houses the 50 foot tall Diabutsu , said to be the largest gilded bronze statue of Buddha. In the park surrounding the temple grounds, the famous Nara deer (actually sika deer), roam freely. Visitors, including our voyagers often feed them “deer crackers” purchased from park vendors.
Kasuga-Taisha is one of the most prominent Shinto Shrines in Nara. Graceful winding walkways bordered by thousands of stone and bronze lanterns, colorful columns and secluded sanctuaries provide numerous opportunities for reflection. Characteristic of a Shinto Shrine, it contains no images or statues.
While these temples and shrines hold deep religious significance for many, it was apparent that to many they serve as parks and gardens. With space for trees, flowers, grasses and wildlife they provide an escape from the concrete and closeness of urban life.
The opportunity to see in person what we had previously viewed only in books and pictures was very special – photos and drawings simply cannot adequately convey a sense of size. The span of history we experienced was impressive and gave a perspective, especially to those of us from relatively young nations like the US.
And now we are off to China and left to contemplate what wonders we will see.