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Great Buddha of Todaiji (Rushana)

Type Object Region East Asia Time 1101–1201

The Rushana Great Buddha (Nara Great Buddha) in Todaiji's golden hall, originally commissioned by Emperor Shomu and cast in the 8th century, rebuilt …

Timeline

  1. 1180Nara · NaraIn the fourth year of Jisho, Taira forces burned Todaiji; the golden hall was destroyed, the Rushana Great Buddha's body was damaged and its head melted, directly prompting the subsequent reconstruction.
  2. c. 1185–1199Nara · NaraChogen initiated the reconstruction, adopting the irimoya-style Great Buddha Hall structure and many Song-dynasty architectural elements; the hall was completed in 1199 as one of the world's largest wooden buildings, and the Buddha's body was repaired and reinforced in this period.
  3. c. 1208–1210Nara · NaraCraftsmen such as Jokaku and Gyokai continued the work after Chogen's death, completing the recasting and installation of the Great Buddha's head between 1208 and 1210; the Rushana Great Buddha was restored to its complete form, marking the close of Todaiji's core statuary reconstruction.

Sources