Article Todaiji Temple

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The article Todaiji Temple has been updated:

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[thomas]

Last week, the Daibutsu at Tōdai-ji was given a thorough clean-up during the annual "O-mi-nugui" (お身拭い) ceremony.

On the morning of the 7th August in Nara City, the annual Ominugui (お身拭い) ceremony took place at Tōdai-ji (東大寺), in which the dust covering every part of the temple's principal object of worship, the Great Buddha (大仏), a National Treasure (国宝) representing Vairocana (盧舎那仏), was carefully removed. This long-standing summer tradition saw a year's worth of dust cleared from the statue's entire body, restoring its original black lustre. From early morning, around 170 monks and other participants purified themselves in the yuyas (湯屋) before donning pure white garments. Following the hakken (撥遣) ritual, in which the Buddha's spirit is symbolically removed, and the chanting of sutras, they climbed into gondolas suspended from the ceiling. From there, they gently brushed away the dust that had settled on the face and shoulders of the Great Buddha, which stands at around 15 metres in height. The floors of the Great Buddha Hall (大仏殿) and the central gate were also cleaned. Hiroyuki Onagi, a 53-year-old self-employed man visiting from Osaka City, looked up at the Great Buddha and remarked, "It's unusual to see a gondola suspended from the ceiling for cleaning."

Translated from here:

東大寺の仏様、年に1度の「お身拭い」で隅々払いさっぱり

奈良市の東大寺で7日朝、本尊の国宝・盧舎那仏（大仏）のほこりを隅々まで払う「お身拭い」があった。夏の恒例行事で、1年分の全身のほこりが落とされ、本来の黒い輝き…

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[thomas]

A new high-end lodging facility is set to open in autumn 2028 on the former grounds of Todaiji Temple in Nara, a project expected to appeal to visitors looking for more luxury accommodation. The plan was announced on 4 February by the temple and Kintetsu Miyako Hotels International Inc. Nara, situated within easy reach of both Osaka and Kyoto, has long offered comparatively few upscale hotel options, a limitation that local tourism officials have regarded as a persistent hurdle.

Photo credit: Kintetsu Miyako Hotels International Inc.

A company representative said the number of overseas visitors to Nara has been increasing, and demand for higher-end travel is also growing, raising hopes that the project could improve the region's appeal over the medium to long term. While the proposed site falls outside Todaiji's present precincts, it remains temple property and lies within an area designated by the government as a national historic site. The location is within walking distance of several of Nara's principal attractions, including Nara Park as well as the temples of Todaiji and Kofukuji.

The location is within walking distance of major tourist attractions, including Nara Park, Todaiji and Kofukuji temples. The facility will cater to affluent travellers from Japan and abroad, though accommodation rates have yet to be determined. The site covers approximately 12,000 square meters. A garden will be created by incorporating the former precinct's natural contours, slopes and existing trees. Around the garden, roughly 25 low-rise guest rooms will be constructed as separate buildings. The facility will also include a restaurant, a tea room and other amenities. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2027.

Luxury lodging to open within Todaiji temple’s former precincts | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis