Nigatsu-dō ( ) is one of the important structures of
Tōdai-ji
is a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the powerful Nanto Shichi Daiji, Seven Great Temples, located in the city of Nara, Nara, Nara, Japan. The construction of the temple was an attempt to imitate Chinese temples from the much-admir ...
, a temple in
Nara
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is an independent agency of the United States government within the executive branch, charged with the preservation and documentation of government and historical records. It is also task ...
, Japan. Nigatsu-dō is located to the east of the Great Buddha Hall, on the hillside of
Mount Wakakusa. It includes several other buildings in addition to the specific hall named Nigatsu-dō, thus comprising its own sub-complex within Tōdai-ji.
History
Nigatsu-dō was founded by a monk by the name of Sanetada in 752, but the
Buddhist
Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
monk
Jitchu, a pupil of
Rōben, later introduced a repentance service dedicated to the image of the eleven-faced Bodhisattva,
Kannon
Guanyin () is a common Chinese name of the bodhisattva associated with Karuṇā, compassion known as Avalokiteśvara (). Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, which means " he One WhoPerceives the Sounds of the World". Originally regarded as m ...
in 760. It has taken place as an annual rite since 760 without any break. The service has come to be known as
Shuni-e ( ), as it was held in the second month of the traditional
lunisolar calendar
A lunisolar calendar is a calendar in many cultures, that combines monthly lunar cycles with the solar year. As with all calendars which divide the year into months, there is an additional requirement that the year have a whole number of mont ...
. At present, it starts on 1 March and ends on the 15th of the month.
Omizutori, which means taking sacred water, has become the popular name of the ceremony.
While the first Shuni-e service is said to have been held by Jichu in another temple in 752, the original construction of Nigatsu-dō hall is estimated to have completed only somewhere between 756 and 772. Nigatsu-dō was destroyed in 1667 due to a fire.
[Nigatsu-do Hall.](_blank)
/ref>
* 1667 (''Kanbun 7''): After fire destroyed the main temple structure, work on rebuilding at Nara commenced.
Re-construction of Nigatsu-do is completed in 1669. In 1944, it was chosen by Japan as one of the most important cultural aspects of the country.
Architecture
The front part of the fall projects out over a sloping area and is supported by columns assembled under the floor using the technique.
Gallery
Image:The east entrance to Nigatsu-dō Hall.jpg, The east entrance to Nigatsu-dō Hall
Image:Wooden stair entrance to Nigatsu-dō.JPG, Wooden stair entrance to Nigatsu-dō
Image:Nigatsu-dō winter maintenance work.JPG, Nigatsu-dō winter maintenance work
Image:View from the balcony of Nigatsu-dō.JPG, View from the balcony of Nigatsu-dō
See also
* Omizutori, the climax of Shuni-e service which takes place on 12 March every year
Notes
References
Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). ''Annales des empereurs du Japon.'' Paris: Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. ; see also '' Imprimerie Royale de France,''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nigatsu-do
World Heritage Sites in Japan
National Treasures of Japan
Buddhist temples in Nara Prefecture