Nara, Japan
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| Nara, Japan |
I spent 2 days of in
Nara – and as it was a national holiday, so did everyone else in the prefecture.
On top of this, the National Museum was having a 2 week exhibit of 69 national
treasures from Todai-ji’s storehouse. This museum exhibit was particularly
surprising – I have never ever been to a more crowded museum. As late as 5:30
p.m. the wait to get in was still at best an hour. Inside, the galleries were
jam-packed. And what were all these people so eager to see? A Persian faceted
glass bowl was the headliner, there were also a good-smelling log, several small
tables, calligraphic scrolls and the like. Go figure.
In Nara, Todai-ji’s
Great Buddha Hall, the largest wooden building in the world, houses a
magnificent colossal statue of Buddha. Nearby, the long path to Kasuga shrine is
lined with stone lanterns. And while I was there, Kofuku-ji was having a special
opening of some of its temple buildings, including the 5-story pagoda. Its
Treasury has some of Japan’s most famous National Treasures, specifically
several magnificent ancient statues. Tame deer roam freely through the temple
district, eager to eat the biscuits that vendors sell. And I was fortunate (?)
enough to be in Nara for the annual Bugaku dances. Standing room only! If
nothing else, they can be called stately. I also made a point of getting to
Horyuji this trip, a large temple complex on the outskirts of Nara, also
celebrated for its National Treasures.
Mimi Santini-Ritt 2008