Nara is one of the most important tourist destinations inside Japan, it was the capital of medieval Japan and conserves historic monuments of ancient cities like Hōryū-Ji, Todai-Ji, Kofuku-Ji, Kasuga Shrine, Gango-Ji, Yakushi-Ji-Ji Toshodai and the remains of the Palace Heijo, for this reason, Nara is called the Venice of Japan and between its streets, the history, the legend, and the traditional blend with the daily living.
However, between these historical monuments, one draws our attention, the Hōryū-Ji palace, the most ancient Japanese palace that still stands and shows the style, beauty, and perfection of Ancient Japan.
The temple of Horyu-Ji is located in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan, and its name means Learning temple of the Flourishing Law. The prince Shotoku ordered the construction of this palace to be a monastery dedicated to the devotion of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing, and the prince’s father, after hard work, the first palace was finished in 607 BC. The temple is divided into two parts:
The Sai-in and the To-in zones; in the western zone, Sai-in, we can find the gold salon or Kondo, the pagoda of the temple with five floors of height, in the other hand, in the eastern zone or To-in we can see the octagonal Yumedono Hall or the Hall of Dreams, monk´s quarters, lecture halls, libraries, and dining halls. Inside the temple is the representation of Saka Trinity; a sculpture of Buda with two of his “holy” on the sides.
The pagoda has 32.45 meters of height and its interior is forbidden to visitors and tourist but is known that inside exists a big stone to three meters underground with a hole in its center where the old Japanese resident deposited their offerings and gifts.
The kondo, as well as a Pagoda, was constructed with architecture techniques of China and Korea, in addition, the structure of Kondo has 18.5 meters of height, besides the entrance for visitors and tourists is available. Kondo suffered burning on January 26, 1949, after which it was refurbished.
These two structures are considered the oldest wooden buildings in the world that are still standing. Among many curiosities, the Japanese say that the temple Horyu-Ji holds the tomb of the first emperor of Japan, Jimmu. Other curiosity says that the cadaver of an important and mysterious figure of Japan rests under the foundations of the Pagoda. This is the palace Hōryū-Ji, a place full of mysteries, legends, and beauty.
