Buddhist Art in Japan

Whilst there are obvious differences between the Buddhist art and architecture of Java and Japan, it is useful to compare material from Japan because of the startling age of many of its wooden temples, and wooden, bronze and ceramic statuary.

Thus the architecture of the Western precinct at Horyuji is probably 7th century, even if the images are much later; also at Nara, the Kondo at Toshodaiji, and its contents, are largely 8th century.

For a profusion of holy images, Sanjusangendo in Kyoto is unbeatable - 1,001 images in a hall 120 metres long, and all 13th century in date. The Kodo at Toji (Kyoto) has a similar but smaller collection, with many of the statues dating from the 8th and 9th centuries.

Now say something about Tofukuji.