A Spirit of Harmony: Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area

Overview

Founded in the 7th century, Horyu-ji Temple in the Nara region is home to one of the oldest wooden structures in the world. Under imperial rule, Horyu-ji was established to spread Buddhism, which had just been introduced to Japan from China. We look at the Japanese social concept of wa or harmony and the survival of these buildings over the centuries.