Wooden heritage of Prince Shotoku

Embracing World Heritage By Makoto Miyazaki Daily Yomiuri Photographer

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyuji Area

Prince Shotoku (574-622), the famed statesman of the Asuka period (late 6th century to mid-7th century), is one of the best-known figures in Japanese history.

No other historical person has appeared on banknotes as often as Prince Shotoku, whose portrait has graced notes seven times--three times before World War II and four times since. The term "Shotoku-taishi"--as he is known in Japanese--was once a byword for Japanese banknotes.

Legend has it that Prince Shotoku settled down in an area called Ikaruga no Sato (Land of Ikaruga), in what is now Nara Prefecture.

This area, with Horyuji temple at its center, was the first World Heritage Site in Japan, designated in 1993 by UNESCO as the "Buddhist Monuments in the Horyuji Area."

Ikaruga is said to have been named after a bird called ikaru (Japanese grosbeak, a finch) that was once common in the region.

There are many other temples of historical interest in the town of Ikarugacho, including Horinji and Hokkiji.

In Ikarugacho, images, paintings and other works of art are representative of the essence of Buddhist art from ancient to modern times, along with ancient burial mounds, including Fujinoki Tumulus.

The town's quiet atmosphere and scenic beauty offer a lingering hint of history and culture.

Horyuji comprises more than 50 buildings. In the Saiin (western precinct) stand the Gojunoto (Five-Story Pagoda) and the Kondo (Main Hall or Golden Hall), while the Toin (eastern precinct) is home to the Yumedono (Dream Hall). In all, the temple covers an area of about 14.5 hectares.

Horyuji is said to have been built in 607 on the orders of Emperor Suiko (554-628) and Prince Shotoku. There is a debate over whether the temple complex has been rebuilt or whether it maintains its original layout. Whatever the truth, there is no escaping the fact that the Gojunoto and the Kondo are the oldest wooden buildings in the world.

The first Prince Shotoku ¥10,000 note, issued in 1957, was given to Horyuji.