Five Quizes about Nara [English]

Correct Answer: 1. Tōdai-ji

Explanation: The Great Buddha of Nara is enshrined in Tōdai-ji, located in Nara City. Tōdai-ji was constructed in the 8th century under the orders of Emperor Shōmu, and the Great Buddha was created as a national project of that time. Standing approximately 15 meters tall, it is one of the largest bronze statues in the world.

Correct Answer: 4. Bronze

Explanation: The Great Buddha of Nara (Tōdai-ji's Roshana Buddha) is a massive bronze statue created in the 8th century. Commissioned by Emperor Shōmu, the statue was built to stabilize the nation through Buddhism. The statue stands about 15 meters tall and weighs around 250 tons. It remains a symbol of Japan's Buddhist culture and is housed in the Great Buddha Hall at Tōdai-ji. The statue’s construction required tens of thousands of workers and a vast amount of resources, making it a monumental achievement in ancient times. The Great Buddha has undergone several restorations and remains an iconic figure today.

Correct Answer: 3. Deer

Explanation: Nara Park is famous for its large population of deer. These deer have been regarded as sacred animals, believed to be the messengers of gods, particularly associated with Kasuga Taisha. The deer are friendly and interact with tourists who visit the park.

Correct Answer: 2. 25 meters

Explanation: Hōryū-ji’s five-story pagoda stands approximately 25 meters tall and is recognized as the oldest five-story pagoda in Japan. Built during the Asuka Period, this pagoda is a symbolic Buddhist structure, with each tier representing the layers of the Buddhist cosmos. Inside the pagoda are various sculptures and Buddhist statues depicting religious teachings.

Correct Answer: 3. Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto

Explanation: Kasuga Taisha was founded during the Nara period to enshrine the ancestral deity of the Fujiwara clan. The main deity, Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto, is also known as the god of battle. Kasuga Taisha is deeply connected to the prosperity of the Fujiwara family and is home to many historical treasures.