Hase-dera
Encyclopedia
Buzan-ha
is a Japanese Shingon Buddhist sect, founded in the 16th century by the priest . The main Buzan-ha temple is Hase-dera in Sakurai, Nara Prefecture....
sect of Shingon Buddhism. The temple is located in Sakurai, Nara
Sakurai, Nara
is a city in Nara, Japan.As of 2007, the city had an estimated population of 63,321 with a density of 630.01 persons per km². The total area is 98.92 km².The city was founded on September 1, 1956....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Overview
Emperor Temmu
was the 40th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Temmu's reign lasted from 672 until his death in 686.-Traditional narrative:...
, who was suffering from a disease. Later in the year 727, the temple was further expanded by order of Emperor Shōmu
Emperor Shomu
was the 45th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Shōmu's reign spanned the years 724 through 723.-Traditional narrative:...
and the statue of the eleven-faced Kannon was placed near the original temple that enshrined the bronze plaque.
The temple was favored by aristocrats such as the author of the Kagerō Nikki
Kagero Nikki
is a classical piece of Japanese literature from the Heian period that falls under the genre of nikki bungaku, or diary literature. Written around 974, the author of Kagerō Nikki is a woman who is only known by the title of Mother of Michitsuna...
and the author of the Sarashina Nikki
Sarashina Nikki
The is a memoir written by Lady Sarashina , a lady-in-waiting of Heian-period Japan. Her work stands out for its descriptions of her travels and pilgrimages and is unique in the literature of the period, as well as one of the first in the genre of travel writing...
during the Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
. The temple has been burnt down as many as ten times since the 10th century. Hase-dera was consisantly popular with visitors,helped by the fact it was situated on the route to Ise Shrine
Ise Shrine
is a Shinto shrine dedicated to goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami, located in the city of Ise in Mie prefecture, Japan. Officially known simply as , Ise Jingū is in fact a shrine complex composed of a large number of Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, and ....
.
Hase-dera has flourished as one of the centers of Shingon Buddhism, particularly after the arrival of priest Sen'yo from Negoro-ji
Negoro-ji
The complex of Buddhist temples stands on the side of, and is surrounded by, the sacred peaks of the Katsuragi Mountains which dominate the horizon at the northern end of the city of Iwade, Wakayama in Japan....
in 1588.
The best times of year to visit this temple are in spring, because at this time of year the peonies that line the 200m walkway from the gate to the hall are in bloom. There is approximately 7,00 Chinese peonies planted here and they are a popular attraction. Autumn is the other time of year that Hase-dera is especially beautiful, when the many maple trees have turned to a stunning red color.
The current Main Hall, a reconstruction of 1650 built by donation of Tokugawa Iemitsu
Tokugawa Iemitsu
Tokugawa Iemitsu was the third shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty. He was the eldest son of Tokugawa Hidetada, and the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Iemitsu ruled from 1623 to 1651.-Early life :...
, represents the scenic beauty of the temple, together with the wooden leading to the Hall from the Niō gate, and the cherry trees surrounding the complex.
Treasures
Important Cultural Properties of Japan
The term is often shortened into just are items officially already classified as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs and judged to be of particular importance to the Japanese people....
at Hase-dera include:
•The Main Hall
Main Hall (Japanese Buddhism)
Main hall is the term used in English for the building within a Japanese Buddhist temple compound which enshrines the main object of veneration. Because the various denominations deliberately use different terms, this single English term translates several Japanese words, among them Butsuden,...
(National Treasure
National treasures of Japan
National Treasures are the most precious of Japan's Tangible Cultural Properties, as determined and designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs...
)
The Main Hall at Hase-dera is one of the largest halls in the Nara prefecture, the statue of the Eleven Faced Kannon is located in this hall.
•The bronze plaque of the Hokke Sessō-zu (National Treasure)
This plaque measures 75 cm(width)x 84 cm (height) and features at its center a hexagonal three story pagoda, surrounded by a series of panels showing two Buddhas sitting on lotus seats, as well as various deities and monks. The lower panel features 27 lines if inscription that is boarded by two guardian gods.
•The Hokke Sutra (National Treasure)
•The Niōmon
Niōmon
The is the Japanese name of a Buddhist temple gate guarded by two wooden warriors called Niō . The gate is called Heng Ha Er Jiang in China and Geumgangmun in Korea. The two statues are inside the two posts of the gate itself, one at the left, one at the right...
(Important Cultural Property
Important Cultural Properties of Japan
The term is often shortened into just are items officially already classified as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs and judged to be of particular importance to the Japanese people....
)
The Niō
Nio
Kongōrikishi or Niō are two wrath-filled and muscular guardians of the Buddha, standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples in China, Japan and Korea in the form of frightening wrestler-like statues. They are manifestations of the Bodhisattva ' protector deity and are part of the...
are present at the gates of many Japanese Buddhist temples, one for each side of the entrance. These statues are protectors of the temple, and can be thought of in English as two benevolent kings. These statutes lend their name to the gate of the temple, which has become known as the Nio gate. The Nio have a threatening appearance in order to discourage deamons and thieves
•The Bell tower (Important Cultural Property)
In 1984 the original bell was replaced, and the original was placed in the treasure hall
•The Staircase (Important Cultural Property)
The staircase is made up of 399 small stone steps, and is around 200 meters long. Pilgrims who visit the temple believe that when walking the staircase it help to get rid of the 108 illusions that they believe lead to all human suffering.
•The Eleven-faced Kannon (Important Cultural Property)
The Statue of the Eleven Faced Kannon (or the Goddess of Mercy) is 9.3 meters or 31 ft tall and it is said that it was carved by a priest known as Tokodu.This is said to be the largest wooden statue in Japan. This statue depicts one of the most popular Deities in Japan, and has 11 faces. These faces are made up of one primary face and 10 secondary and are said to allow Kannon to see all around, in case anyone is in need of her assistance.
See also
- List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts-others)
- List of National Treasures of Japan (temples)
- List of National Treasures of Japan (writings)
- For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese BuddhismGlossary of Japanese BuddhismThis is the glossary of Japanese Buddhism, including major terms the casual reader might find useful in understanding articles on the subject. Words followed by an asterisk are illustrated by an image in one of the photo galleries...
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