Tenpyo Culture and the Shosoin Repository
Tenpyo culture, which flourished during the reign of Emperor Shomu in the Nara period, was a magnificent culture characterized by Buddhism and international influences. Treasures brought through the Silk Road are preserved in the Shosoin Repository.
Basic Knowledge
Tenpyo culture flourished during the Nara period, especially during Emperor Shomu's Tenpyo era（729〜749）.
Characteristics of Tenpyo culture:
・Centered on Buddhist culture（based on the belief that Buddhism protected the nation）
・Rich in international influences（influences from Tang China, the Western Regions, India, and Persia）
・A culture centered on aristocrats and Buddhist monks
Major works of architecture and art:
・Todaiji Temple: The Great Buddha Hall, the Shosoin Repository, the Hokke Hall, and others
・Toshodaiji Temple: Founded by Ganjin; its Golden Hall
・The East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple: A three-story pagoda（appearing to have six stories because of its additional pent roofs）
・The Ashura Statue at Kofukuji Temple: A youthful figure with three faces and six arms, representative of Tenpyo sculpture
・The Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple: Vairocana Buddha
Major literary works and historical records:
・『Kojiki』（712）: Compiled by O no Yasumaro from the oral recitations of Hieda no Are
・『Nihon Shoki』（720）: Compiled by Prince Toneri and others in Classical Chinese
・『Man'yoshu』: Compiled by Otomo no Yakamochi and others, a collection of approximately 4,500 waka poems
・『Fudoki』: Records compiling the geography, products, and legends of the provinces
The Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple One of the world's largest wooden buildings（although rebuilt, it retains the scale of the Tenpyo period）
The Shosoin Repository A treasure house at Todaiji Temple built in the azekura style, containing Emperor Shomu's belongings
Toshodaiji Temple Founded by Ganjin; its Golden Hall and statue of the monk Ganjin
The Ashura Statue at Kofukuji Temple Three faces and six arms, a youthful expression, and designation as a National Treasure
『Kojiki』 712, covering events from mythology through the reign of Empress Suiko
『Nihon Shoki』 720, an official history written in Classical Chinese
『Man'yoshu』 Completed in the late 8th century, approximately 4,500 poems
In Depth (Background and Influence)
The Shosoin Repository is a storehouse at Todaiji Temple built in a distinctive architectural style called azekura construction. Its walls are made by interlocking triangular timbers, creating an excellent structure that naturally regulates humidity.
The Shosoin Repository contains approximately 9,000 treasures, including belongings of Emperor Shomu. Particularly noteworthy is that many are internationally diverse objects brought through the Silk Road:
・Mother-of-Pearl-Inlaid Red Sandalwood Five-String Biwa: A five-string biwa, the only surviving example in the world
・Persian-style glassware: Originating in West Asia
・White Glass Bowl: A glass bowl made in Sasanian Persia
・Lacquered Ewer: A Tang Chinese water pitcher in the Persian style
These objects show that Japan was the “eastern endpoint of the Silk Road.”
『Man'yoshu』 is an anthology containing approximately 4,500 waka poems by people from emperors to commoners. It is believed to have been compiled primarily by Otomo no Yakamochi. One feature is its use of “man'yogana”, a writing system that borrowed the sounds of Chinese characters. For example, “Yama”=mountain. It later became the origin of hiragana and katakana.
It also includes “Azuma uta,” poems composed by farmers in northeastern Japan, and “Sakimori uta,” poems in which frontier guards wrote about parting from their families, conveying the lives of ordinary people at that time to the present day.
Near the end of the Nara period, Ganjin came to Japan from China in 753. He overcame the hardships of five failed voyages and the loss of his sight, finally reaching Japan on his sixth attempt. He introduced the Buddhist precepts（rules for monks）and founded Toshodaiji Temple.
- Tenpyo culture = The reign of Emperor Shomu, Buddhism＋international influences
- The Shosoin Repository = Todaiji Temple, azekura construction, Silk Road treasures
- 『Kojiki』（712）= O no Yasumaro, the oral recitations of Hieda no Are
- 『Nihon Shoki』（720）= Prince Toneri and others, an official history in Classical Chinese
- 『Man'yoshu』= Compiled by Otomo no Yakamochi, approximately 4,500 poems, man'yogana
- Azuma uta and Sakimori uta = Convey the lives of ordinary people
- Ganjin = Came to Japan from China, founded Toshodaiji Temple, and introduced the Buddhist precepts
- The Ashura Statue at Kofukuji Temple = Representative of Tenpyo sculpture, with three faces and six arms
Important Notes (Commonly Confused Points)
① Remember the years and compilers of 『Kojiki』（712）and 『Nihon Shoki』（720）. 『Kojiki』 came first. ② 『Kojiki』 was compiled by O no Yasumaro, and Hieda no Are recited its contents from memory. Do not confuse them. ③ 『Man'yoshu』 dates from the end of the Nara period and was compiled primarily by Otomo no Yakamochi. ④ The architectural style of the Shosoin Repository is azekura construction. It is pronounced “azekura-zukuri.” ⑤ Ganjin was a monk from China（Tang）. He was not Japanese. The temple he founded was Toshodaiji Temple. ⑥ “Tenpyo” was one of the era names used during Emperor Shomu's reign（729〜749）. In a broader sense, the term can also refer to “the culture of the Nara period” as a whole.
Practice
- State the years in which 『Kojiki』 and 『Nihon Shoki』 were compiled and name their compilers.
- Name the azekura-style treasure house that served as a storehouse at Todaiji Temple.
- Explain the characteristics of 『Man'yoshu』 in terms of the types of poems it contains and its writing system.