The Asuka Period

The Asuka Period in Japan started at the end of the

6th century and lasted about 100 years. During this
period, the Japanese palaces of the Royal Family
(Tenno clan) remained in the Asuka region, located
inside the current Nara prefecture.  The location of
the palaces had been changed by various Emperors
and Empresses many times always staying within the
Asuka area . The term Asuka can be illustrated by
two Chinese characters "to fly" and "bird."
During the Asuka Period, various factors contributed
to the enhancement of Japanese politics and culture.
These enhancements were primarily a result of the
significant influence of foreign powers. There were
complicated and intense relationships between
Japan and the Far East Asian Tang Dynasty of China,
Koryo of northern Korea and the Silla of
southeastern Korea.
Generally speaking, this period was the time that the
relatively small island of Japan gradually began to
build a centralized government. They absorbed and
imitated the centralized governmental system from
neighboring countries like Korea and especially
China. Behind the development of Japan's
centralized government is a notable relationship
among East Asian countries. It can be said that the
birth of Asuka Period can't be discussed without
discussing the influence of foreign power at that
time.
HORYU-JI

Horyu Ji
 Horyu ji TempleHoryuji TempleHoryuji Temple is one of the oldest and most
is one of the oldest and most
famous temples in Japan. It has some of the oldest
famous temples in Japan. It has some of the
wooden buildings in the world, built some 1300
oldest wooden buildings in the world, built
years ago, during the Asuka period. Its importance
some 1300 years ago, during the Asuka period.
• Some of what we know about Horyuji
lies, in part, in its continuity -- it has cultural
Its importance lies, in part, in its continuity -- it
properties from the Asuka period (545 to 645) and
has cultural properties from the Asuka period
Temple's history comes from an inscription on
from successive periods of Japan's cultural history.
(545 to 645) and from successive periods of
Japan's cultural history.
the back of the halo on the Yakusi Nyorai
Buddha statue, which is on the eastern side of
the room in the temple's Main Hall. There is
also an official inventory of Horyuji property
that provides information.
The main approach to Horyuji Temple is through a lovely, peaceful road shaded by
pine trees.

Nandaimon (Great South Gate) (National Treasure)

On either side of the
gate is a mud wall with
a tiled roof, an
Important Cultural
Property.
Saiendo (Western Octagonal Hall) (National
Treasure)
Sangyo-in (Three Sutra's Hall) and Nishimuro
(Monk's dormitory) (National Treasures)
The Saiin (West Temple)
Chumon (Middle Gate) (National Treasure)
 In niches on either side of the gate are clay statues of fierce-
looking Ni-O (Deva Kings, Important Cultural Properties) who
guard the precinct
Kondo (Main Hall) (National Treasure)
Goju-no-To (Five-Story Pagoda) (National
Treasure)
Kyozo (Sutra Library) (National Treasure)
Daikodo (Great Lecture Hall) (National
Treasure)
Shoryoin (Hall of Prince Shotoku's Soul)
(National Treasure)
Tsumamuro (Important Cultural
Property)
Kofuzo (Storehouse) (National
Treasure)
Daihozoden (Great Treasure Repository)
shakyamuni - shaka triad
bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
Yumedono Kannon
Kudara Kannon
Tamon-Ten
Tamamushi-Shrine
 CHINESE CULTURE
TRANSPLANTED TO JAPAN
The Daibutsuden ( the Great Buddha hall at
Todai-ji in nara)
The Todai-ji Nara
Yakushi Triad
Toshodai-ji Nara
Buddha Vairochana
ThanK yOu fOr Listening!