Japanese term for giant buddhas

• buddha statues of enlightenment made of bronze and gold
• huge symbol of Japan at the time

The largest wooden Buddha temple

Houses largest Bronze statues

Built by Emperor Shômu

• Religion that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs, and practices based on teaching of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)
• accepted by the Soga Clan who were intoduced by Paekche
• Marks intro of Asuka period, and largely impacted Japan and its future development

One of the four kingdoms that make up what is currently Korea during the Asuka period. 

• Being one of the weaker kingdoms, it was often pressured by Koguryou (North) and later Silla (East
• Paekche leader turns to Yamato Clan for help (aid in war against Chinese and other Korean fleets)
• Introduced Buddhism to Sooga Clan

Temple of the Rising Truth

• commissioned by Prince Shotoku
• oldest wooden building in the world and most celebrated buddhist temple

Architecture:

1.  tall stupa (contains lil piece of buddha & statues of Boddhisattvas (suffering) and Buddha (smiling)
2. gallery wrapping area
3. at least 1 gate

clan that supported Yamato court (now leading family though not necessarily super powerful yet) and later controlled the Yamato

• traditionally in charge of treasury and accounts
• accepted budddhism --> build temples and proliferate sutra
• build the Temple of Rising Truth (commissioned by the prince shotoku)
• ousted by a coup set up by those who opposed their control of the Yamato

semi-legendary leader during the Asuka Period

• life and accomplishments described in the Nihon Shoki
• Over successive generations, a devotional cult arose around the figure of Prince Shōtoku for the protection of Japan, the Imperial Family, and for Buddhism. 

it set up various maximums (not necessarily laws) that were meant to illustrate important principles that by their own merit be persuasive

first statement about the need for ethical government (or gov at all) in Japan on a broad scale (604)

 was a highly Buddhistand Confucian document that focused on the morals and virtues that were to be expected of government officials and the emperor's subjects to ensure a smooth running of the state, where the emperor was to be regarded as the highest authority

Written by Shoutoku

Fujiwara Clan set after coup (throw out Sooga)

• stipulated that territories that used to be part of a particular Uji now belong to the emperor
•  put a capital city in the center of gov.
• figure out a way to support an evergrowing and complicated beauracy to sustain capital
• all agriculture land is “nationalized” and subjects become leaseholders (will be taxed) & required to do service (cold tax)

• taxes  and 6 year census
• Vamp up efforts to make agriculture more productive
• defines (in elegant chinese) the structure, functions, and rituals of new Chinese-style polity (note: capital now Nara)

Treasure house of the Todaiji in Nara

houses many treasures given during the unveiling of the Great Buddha

• Storehouse contains shows how fair Japanese civilazation has grown (old storehouse to this storehouse) and contains treasures from all over the world