|
| |
|
NARA |
| |
|
|
| |
Before Kyoto became the capital of Japan in 794 AD, this honour was
held by NARA , a town some 35km further south in an area which is
regarded as the birthplace of Japanese civilization. During this period,
particularly the seventh and eighth centuries, Buddhism became firmly
established within Japan under the patronage of court nobles, who
sponsored magnificent temples and works of art, many of which have
survived to this day. Fortunately, history subsequently left Nara
largely to its own devices and it's now a relaxed, attractive place set
against a backdrop of wooded hills. Its greatest draw is undoubtedly the
monumental bronze Buddha of Todai-ji , while Kofuku-ji and several of
the smaller temples boast outstanding collections of Buddhist statuary.
However, even these are outclassed by the images housed in Horyu-ji , a
temple to the southwest of Nara, which also claims the world's oldest
wooden building. The nearby temples of Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji
contain yet more early masterpieces of Japanese art and architecture.
Nara has the added attraction of packing all these sights into a fairly
compact space. The central area is easily explored on foot, and can just
about be covered in a long day, with the more distant temples fitting
into a second day's outing. Many people visit Nara on a day-trip from
Kyoto, but it more than deserves an overnight stop, not least to enjoy
it once the crowds have gone. If at all possible, try to avoid Nara on
Sundays and national holidays
The City
More a large town than a city, Nara is an enjoyable place to explore.
There are plentiful English-language signs, the grid street system makes
for easy navigation, and the main sights are all gathered on the city's
eastern edge in the green expanse of Nara-koen . The most important
temples are Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji . Along the eatern hills you'll find
a sprinkling of second-tier sights, including Nara's holiest shrine,
Kasuga Taisha , and splendid displays of Buddhist statuary in two
historic temples, Sangatsu-do and Shin-Yakushi-ji . With an extra hour
or two to spare, it's worth wandering the streets of southerly Nara-machi
, a traditional merchants' quarter where some attractive old shophouses
have been converted into museums and craft shops.
|
| |
|
