The three imperial regalia: the mirror, the sword, and the jewels.  Amaterasu sent these down to earth with her grandson, Ninigi, as proof of his authority to rule.  This implements were also found in kofun tombs, suggesting that they symbolize local tribal rulership.  The mirror is now housed in the Ise Shrine.  The jewel is with the Imperial Household.  And the sword (Kusanagi, or Grass-Mower, which Susano-o retrieved from the dragon in Izumo) was lost at sea in the Battle of Dannoura in 1185.

Ise Shrine:  Erected in the 7th century.  Early shrine architecture was based on granary-style buildings (as represented on dôtaku bells and haniwa)—also the style used for the Uji Chieftain’s palace.  Eventually used to house the gods.  The greatest example is the Ise Shrine at Ujiyamada—where the Sun Goddess is enshrined.  Features of this style are the heavy-thatched roof, the rafters crossing at the gable ends, the logs resting on the roof ridge, the pillars that support the floor above the ground, and the smooth, unpainted luster of the wood.  It is rebuilt every 20 years.

Izumo Shrine—on the Japan Sea.  Associated with Susa-no-o, though he is not enshrined here.  Rather, this shrine is dedicated to Ôkuni-nushi no kami. Great Lord of the Land and a descendant of Susa-no-o.  This shrine is said to represent stronger continental influence.

Kami—gods—are the source of the Shintô belief.  One the one hand the kami represent an animistic belief in the divinity of nature.  On the other, kami are believed to be intimately associated with human activities and behaviors.    “In principle human beings, birds, animals, trees, plants,  mountains, oceans—all may be kami.  According to ancient usage, whatever seemed strikingly impressive, possessed the quality of excellence, or inspired a feeling of awe was called kami.”

Torii  Shrine “gate”  Literally means:  “bird perch.”  (Birds were important figures in the “Rock cave myth,” helping to draw Amaterasu out of the cave—and thus restore “day.”)  Birds are messengers between the world of humans and the world of gods.

Kami are worshipped and respected through lustration (water), fire, salt, festivals (matsuri), dancing, etc.

ENTER BUDDHISM

The birth of Sakyamuni or Gautama (sixth century BCE); born from his mother’s sleeve.  Why?

Miroku Bosatsu (Miroku, the Buddha of the Future), dates from the 8th century.  Of Korean craftsmen; presently located in a nunnery in Nara.  Mahayana Buddhists formulated the theory that the Buddha appears in three forms: 1) his all-embracing, cosmic form; 2) his transcendent form, in which he might appear as  any one of many heavenly figures, such as the healing buddha, the buddha of the future (Miroku), or the buddha of boundless light (Amida); and 3) his transformation form, of the body he assumed when he existed on earth as Sakyamuni/Gautama.

Lotus Sutra, the basic text of Mahayana Buddhism. In this sutra, the historical Buddha (Sakyamuni) reveals that all beings possess the potential for Buddhahood.  This copy was written by Shotoku Taishi.

Shôtoku Taishi (572-622), nephew of the reigning empress, Suiko, and regent to the throne.  He is one of the most important figures in Japanese history.  A devout Buddhist and an ardent advocate of Chinese learning.  Helped found an academy for Chinese study.  Initiated diplomatic/cultural missions to China.  Is credited with writing the first constitution of Japan, though it was issued twenty-three years after his death.

Taika Reform took place in 645 and was bolstered later by the Taiho Code of 702.  The Taika Reform called for the establishment of a permanent imperial capital and advocated the administration of the country through a system of provinces, districts, and villages.  Censuses taken regularly and land allotted accordingly on a rotating basis.  Individuals did not own land—the court owned the land. But exceptions prevailed.  The Taika Reform also established a system of court ranks, abolished the category of “be” (artisans), thus undercutting those who had traditionally supported uji clans.  The Reform effectively created an aristocratic elite.

Hôryû-ji Temple—the oldest wooden buildings in the world.  Originally constructed in 607 under the patronage of Prince Shôtoku, burnt down in 670 and was re-constructed.  Temple complexes generally contain a golden hall that contains the important Buddhist statues; a lecture hall, and a pagoda.  It is surrounded by a roofed and gated gallery.

Yumedono was a hall Shôtoku built for his own private meditation.  It literally means the Hall of Dreams.  It includes a famous statue of the bodhisattva Kannon.

Tamamushi Shrine is also housed in Hôryûji.  It was formerly on the altar.  Called tamamushi (jewel-insect) because it is inlaid with the iridescent wings of an insect.  Executed in a mixture of oil and lacquer, this represents the oldest oil paintings in the world!  On the different doors and panels are scenes from the Buddhist jataka stories.

Miniature shrine of Lady Tachibana, also housed in Hôryûji.  The image represents Amida seated on a large lotus flower.  One of his hands is held up—to suggest the mudra of preaching; the other is extended, to represent his great charity.  He is flanked by two bodhisattva.  Behind the figures are a screen with the seven buddhas of the past.

Nara Period (710-794) the name of the capital was Heijo and it is located on what is present-day Nara.  Modeled on Chang’an, the capital of China at the time.

Tôdaiji became the national center for Buddhism under the reign of Emperor Shômu (r. 724-49).  Unlike Hôryûji, it is laid out in a mammoth scale and it contains the largest wooden structure in the world.  This structure was built to house the Great Buddha (Daibutsu).

In 735 Emperor Shômu ordered the construction of a great buddha in an effort to placate a pestilence (small pox).  It took 8 attempts to cast the image. It is 53 feet high!  In 749, gold was discovered in Japan, and Shômu ordered that the image should be gilt with gold.  Finally, in 752 the emperor holds the “Eye-Opening Ceremony” or dedication of the statue.  Attended by clerics from all over the Buddhist world.  The craftsmen who cast the buddha were Korean; the cleric who painted in the eye in the eye-opening ceremony was Indian; the sutras were Chinese and sanskrit.  10,000 Buddhist priests attended.  At the ceremony, Shômu declared himself a servant of the buddha.

On the Tôdaiji grounds is the Shôsôin—or the treasure house of Emperor Shômu.  It looks like a log cabin.  Interestingly, the logs expand and contract with the humidity, creating an environment inside that is perfect for preserving artwork.  It is full of the artwork of the Silk Road.  Continental contacts brought the Japanese elite in touch with art objects from every part of the known world of Asia and Europe—China, Southeast and Central Asia, India, Arabia, Persia, Assyria, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.  The items in the storehouse are the personal belongings of Emperor Shômu.  Glassware, carpets, a lute with a camel design, and gigaku masks from China and Central Asia.

Kojiki (712)

Nihongi (720)

Comparison of pages from the Kojiki and Nihongi

Man’yôshû (759)  Hitomaru (a famous poet)

For more information on these historical eras, click here.

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