Nandaimon Gate

Overview

Nandaimon (Great South Gate) is the monumental entrance gate to the Todai-ji temple complex. Standing 25 meters tall with 18 massive pillars, it frames two of the most powerful guardian statues in all of Japanese sculpture — the Nio (Benevolent Kings) carved by master sculptors Unkei and Kaikei.

Highlights

• Nio Guardian Statues: The two 8.4-meter-tall wooden guardian figures were carved in 1203 by a team led by master sculptors Unkei and Kaikei in just 72 days. Their explosive dynamism, bulging muscles, and furious expressions represent the pinnacle of Kamakura-period realism.
• Agyo and Ungyo: The open-mouthed Agyo (left) represents the beginning (the sound "ah") and the closed-mouth Ungyo (right) represents the end (the sound "un") — together they symbolize the totality of existence.
• Architectural Scale: The gate itself is a masterpiece of Daibutsu-yo (Great Buddha style) architecture, reconstructed in 1199 with the technology brought from Song Dynasty China.

History

The original gate was built in 752 with the rest of Todai-ji. The current gate was rebuilt in 1199 during the Kamakura-period reconstruction led by the monk Chogen. The Nio statues, carved from over 3,000 pieces of Japanese cypress, are among the most important Kamakura-period sculptures in existence.

Visitor Tips

• Free to View: The gate and its guardian statues are in the open approach to Todai-ji and can be viewed free of charge at any time.
• Close Inspection: The wire mesh protecting the statues can be looked through — study the incredible detail of the muscular forms and facial expressions up close.