Not many tourists wander this way, but it's the old political capital of japan from the 6-7th centuries and well respected by the Japanese.
This is Asuka-dera temple
With the oldest Buddha of japan inside
Asuka is in an area ( county? ) called Nara in the East and north of Japan's main island.Nara represents the early beginnings of Japan history because it was where the Asuka Period started in the 6th century and Buddhism was introduced from China into Japan and henceforth spread throughout the country. It was also the time when the name of the country was officially known as Nihon. Later, Asuka evolved into the Nara Period and Nara City became the capital of Japan for about 74 years in the early 8th century (before Kyoto), it was known as Heijo-kyo at the time.
In case you are wondering why there is a deer sitting in font of the temple, there are masses of them here, wandering around town. You can easily buy deer crackers to feed to them.
According to legend, a dominant aristocrat clan who founded the Kasuga Taisha Shrine in the 8th century had invited a mighty deity from another shrine, and when this deity came to Nara, he appeared riding on a white deer. Ever since then, deer have been treated as divine messengers of god and greatly respected and protected by the people of Nara.
8024 (toothbrush stomp)
I'm working in Stevenage next week, so will see you on Thursday for the last few days of Japan before going to see Santa!
Day 86 Asuka
This is Asuka-dera temple
With the oldest Buddha of japan inside
Asuka is in an area ( county? ) called Nara in the East and north of Japan's main island.Nara represents the early beginnings of Japan history because it was where the Asuka Period started in the 6th century and Buddhism was introduced from China into Japan and henceforth spread throughout the country. It was also the time when the name of the country was officially known as Nihon. Later, Asuka evolved into the Nara Period and Nara City became the capital of Japan for about 74 years in the early 8th century (before Kyoto), it was known as Heijo-kyo at the time.
In case you are wondering why there is a deer sitting in font of the temple, there are masses of them here, wandering around town. You can easily buy deer crackers to feed to them.
According to legend, a dominant aristocrat clan who founded the Kasuga Taisha Shrine in the 8th century had invited a mighty deity from another shrine, and when this deity came to Nara, he appeared riding on a white deer. Ever since then, deer have been treated as divine messengers of god and greatly respected and protected by the people of Nara.
8024 (toothbrush stomp)
I'm working in Stevenage next week, so will see you on Thursday for the last few days of Japan before going to see Santa!
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