Horyuji Temple
Main Image Pagoda Base Clay Sculptures Category Other
Impression TagsSolemnityDepthMystery
DescriptionThe National Treasure clay sculpture groups known as the Pagoda Base Sculptures are arranged around the central pillar on the first story of Horyuji Temple's Five-Story Pagoda. Created in 711 during the Nara period, they present four Buddhist narratives in three-dimensional clay settings resembling caves. The east side shows the dialogue between Vimalakirti and Manjusri, the north side the Buddha's nirvana, the west side the distribution of the Buddha's relics, and the south side Maitreya preaching after enlightenment. Preserved inside Japan's oldest five-story pagoda, they are an exceptionally important surviving example of early Nara-period Buddhist group sculpture and can be seen on the regular western-precinct route.
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