World oldest wooden Buddhist structure - Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area 660; Washoku, traditional dietary cultures of the Japanese, notably for the celebration of New Year 00869; Traditional skills, techniques and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan 01618
What and Why
The Hōryū-ji monument area (Japanese: 法隆寺地域, Hōryūji chiiki) is a cluster of buildings that represent possibly the world oldest standing wooden constructions, dating back to the 6th century CE. They represent the great Buddhist influence from China (Chinese: 中国, Zhongguo) to Japan (日本). The Buddhist monuments in the Horyu-ji area are also the earliest Buddhist monuments in Japan, dating from shortly after the introduction of Buddhism to the country, and had a profound influence on subsequent religious architecture.
Toponymy
The city name Ikaruga (斑鳩) means a striped dove. While the origin remains unclear, it probably has something to do with the fact that the city was established during the Asuka period (飛鳥時代) (538–710 CE), meaning an era of 'flying birds'. It was not uncommon during those times cities named themselves with some kind of avian reference as a result.
See
Hōryū-ji (法隆寺)
Hōryū-ji (法隆寺) meaning the temple of prospering law, was established in the year 607 CE and served as both a monastery and seminary for more than 1,400 years. It was one of the Nanto Shichi Daiji (南都七大寺), meaning the seven great temples of the southern capital (Nara, 奈良) and it was built to worship the medicinal Buddha Bhaiṣajyaguru (Sanskrit: भैषज्यगुरु), similar to Yakushi-ji (薬師寺) in Nara. Clearly the temple, while well preserved had suffered from various fire damages over the years and the latest restoration was in the early 17th century CE. As mentioned this is possibly the world's oldest standing wooden structure, and is an exemplary representation of the wooden architecture and its history of Japan, which is an ICH as blogged before.
During the Meiji (明治) period, Shinto (神道) was instated as the official state religion in the mid 19th century CE, resulting in government confiscation of many Buddhist properties, and
Hōryū-ji affiliated with Shingon (真言宗) or Vajrayāna (Sanskrit: वज्रयान) Buddhism.
According the the signages, the buildings show significant cultural influences from the Three Kingdoms of Korea (Korean: 삼국시대, Samgugsidae), particularly those of Baekje (Korean: 백제), and not Chinese, as most trades come from China via Baekje.
The complex is divided into an East and West section: The western part of the temple contains the Kondō (金堂), the sanctuary hall, and the temple's five-storey pagoda. This particular pagoda is estimated to have been built in the late 6th century CE and is considered the oldest standing wooden structure on Earth.
The east holds the other halls of the temple, including the various Chinese-looking Yumedono (夢殿), the palace of dreams. The hall contains the famous Guze Kannon (救世観音, Avalokiteśvara (Sanskrit: अवलोकितेश्वर)) statue; which is only displayed at certain times of the year.
Hokki-ji (法起寺)
Hokki-ji (法起寺), meaning the temple of rising law, was constructed to honour Avalokiteśvara, and an 11-faced statue of the goddess is the primary object of worship in the temple. The temple is a 20-minute walk away from Hōryū-ji.
A prominent building is the Chinese three-storey pagoda, which is very different from the typical five-storey counterpart, and the 11-faced statue of Avalokiteśvara is housed inside.
Eat and Drink
Osechi (おせち)
Since I was there near the beginning of the year, I was served the osechi (おせち) by my host, which is the food box traditionally served in a family during the New Year. Osechi is served in a red-coloured bentō (弁当) boxes called jūbako (重箱), literally meaning 'heavy or ceremonial box'. This tradition started during the Heian (平安) period with the box densely and colourfully packed with an almost mathematical tessellation of a variety of small portions of food. As you can imagine every bit of life in Japan is sacred and this is reflected in the jūbako. Each little portion is a respect to their respective natural deities, with celebratory symbolism to the New Year.
Clearly the food varies from family to family but theoretically an osechi would include the following:
Daidai (橙): Japanese bitter orange, symbolising 'from generation to generation' for children as the word 'だい' means 'generation';
Datemaki (伊達巻き): sweet-egg roll with fish paste, symbolising a wish for many auspicious days, as the word 'まき' means 'roll' or 'clothing';
Kamaboko (蒲鉾): broiled fish cake coloured in red and white, symbolising Japan rising sun and the new year;
Kazunoko (数の子): herring roe, the word '数' means 'number' and '子' means 'little child' and hence it means potency in the New Year;
Konbu (昆布): seaweed. The word '昆布' is associated with another word 'よろこぶ(yorokobu)' meaning 'joy';
Kuro-mame (黒豆): black soybeans, as the word '豆 (mame)' also means 'health', symbolising a wish for health;
Kohaku-namasu (紅白なます): pieces of red and white vegetables, again symbolising Japan and the new year;
Tai (鯛): red sea-bream, as the word '鯛 (tai)' is associated with another Japanese word 'めでたい (medetai)', meaning 'celebration';
Tazukuri (田作り): dried sardines cooked in soy sauce with the word itself also meaning 'rice paddy worker', a symbolism of good harvest;
Ebi (海老): sea prawn, as the word also literally means 'sea old', as the prawn has long whiskers symbolising longevity;
Nishiki tamago (二色玉子): egg roulade, with the yellow colour symbolising gold or wealth;
Zenzai (ぜんざい): red-bean dessert soup, anything red that symbolises prosperity.
Before the meal, Japanese will put their hands together and say いただきます (itadakimasu), literally meaning 'I receive', showing the appreciation to nature or the kami (神) and everyone involved in the meal preparation for providing the food. It is the Japanese version of saying grace.
Getting There and Around
The Hōryū-ji is a pleasant 15-minute walk away from Hōryū-ji train station (法隆寺駅, Hōryū-ji-eki), while Hokki-ji is another 20-minute walk away from Hōryū-ji along country paths. The entrance fee to both temples is JPY 1000 ¥. A good morning walking trip.
UNESCO Inscriptions
There are around 48 Buddhist monuments in the Horyu-ji area, in Nara Prefecture. Several date from the late 7th or early 8th century, making them some of the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world. These masterpieces of wooden architecture are important not only for the history of art, since they illustrate the adaptation of Chinese Buddhist architecture and layout to Japanese culture, but also for the history of religion, since their construction coincided with the introduction of Buddhism to Japan from China by way of the Korean peninsula.
The conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan consists in a set of traditional skills, techniques and knowledge. Roughly seventy per cent of the country is forested. Therefore, wood has been used in houses since ancient times. In fact, the world’s oldest surviving wooden structure is the Horyu-ji temple that was built in the early seventh century. Some examples of the seventeen skills described in the nomination file, include sakan plastering, the harvesting of Japanese cypress bark, lacquer painting of traditional structures, the production of tatami mats (flooring material), and many more. Until the nineteenth century, master craftsmen trained apprentices as successors to transmit knowledge of the traditional skills. Due to modernization, however, this process became more difficult, so preservation associations were formed. Knowledge includes not only techniques for building new structures, but also restoring existing ones. Due to the country’s hot and humid climate, repair work must happen often. At restoration sites, craftspeople with different skills must complete the work together. Some maintenance work also requires the involvement of local residents. For example, reed or straw thatch on a roof needs to be completely renewed every twenty years, which is a labour-intensive job. The element thus serves a social function by fostering cooperation and social cohesion and strengthens Japanese people’s sense of cultural identity.
References
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