A quiz about the Great Buddha of Nara: fun facts to deepen your understanding of Japan’s iconic Great Buddha.

spiral coils of hair (often referring to the curls on Buddhist statues' heads)

At first glance, the Great Buddha of Nara’s hairstyle looks like many round protrusions, but this is called “rahatsu.” Rahatsu is one way of depicting a Buddha statue’s hair—spiral-shaped locks carved in lines. It is said that rahatsu represents the sanctity of the Buddha.

It has webbed feet

A distinctive feature of the Great Buddha of Nara is that it has webbed fingers. This webbing, which is not normally seen on human hands, is said to represent the Buddha’s compassionate vow to save all living beings. The webbing on the Buddha’s hand symbolizes that all life is connected like in the ocean, and that the Buddha’s teachings extend to every living being.

465.7 billion yen

The Great Buddha of Tōdai-ji, constructed during the Nara period, is said to be worth as much as 465.7 billion yen in today’s value. This was an enormous sum equivalent to about half of the national budget at the time, making it a state project into which the nation poured its strength. The economic ripple effect from the spending by those involved in its construction is also estimated at around 1.0246 trillion yen, figures that clearly convey how important it was to the country.

the year 752

The Great Buddha of Nara, the seated statue of Vairocana, began construction in 743. After the work progressed, an eye-opening consecration ceremony was held in 752, during which the final touch—infusing the statue with a soul—was performed. Through this ceremony, the Vairocana Buddha is believed to come to embody the sacredness of a Buddha.

Tōdai-ji (Todai-ji Temple)

The Great Buddha of Nara is located at Tōdai-ji. Tōdai-ji is a temple centered around the Great Buddha Hall, which enshrines this bronze statue affectionately known as the Great Buddha, and it was founded in the Nara period. Historically, it was established when Nara was the capital of Japan as Heijō-kyō, with the aims of protecting the nation and promoting Buddhism. It is an important cultural property and is known in Japan as a highly renowned architectural monument.

Cleaning

The annual cleaning of the Great Buddha of Nara takes place at 7 a.m. on August 7. Known as “Omi-nugui,” it’s a beloved summer tradition in which a group dressed in white gently removes dust from the statue. It’s noteworthy that they use feather dusters, reflecting the intention to avoid causing any damage to the body.

deer

About 1,200 deer live in Nara Park. The sight of feeding deer with special rice crackers, known as shika senbei, is a classic part of sightseeing in Nara. Beyond their cuteness, deer have long been revered as messengers of the gods and are designated as a National Natural Monument.