Great South Gate of Horyuji Temple

The South Great Gate of Horyuji Temple: A National Treasure Gateway to the World's Oldest Wooden Architecture

Standing proudly at the southern entrance of Horyuji Temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, the Nandaimon (South Great Gate) serves as the magnificent formal gateway to one of the most revered Buddhist temple complexes in all of Japan. Designated as a National Treasure and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area," this Muromachi-period gate welcomes visitors into a sacred precinct that houses the oldest surviving wooden structures on Earth. As you walk along the pine-lined avenue that leads to its imposing form, the Nandaimon offers a breathtaking framed view of the five-story pagoda and the inner gate beyond — your first unforgettable glimpse into over 1,400 years of unbroken Buddhist heritage.

Historical Background

The history of the Nandaimon is deeply intertwined with that of Horyuji Temple itself. Horyuji was originally founded in 607 by Prince Shotoku and Empress Suiko, making it one of the earliest Buddhist temples in Japan. According to the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), the original temple complex was destroyed by fire caused by lightning in 670, and the current Western Precinct was reconstructed by the early 8th century.

The original South Gate was positioned much closer to the Inner Gate (Chumon), standing on the stone steps directly in front of it. However, as the number of sub-temples within the complex grew over the centuries, the temple grounds needed to expand. During the Chogen era (1028–1037) of the Heian period, the gate was relocated to its present position to accommodate the enlarged precinct.

The gate at its current location was destroyed by fire in 1435 (Eikyo 7). Just three years later, in 1438 (Eikyo 10), the present structure was rebuilt — as confirmed by an inscription on the ridge beam. Numerous roof tiles bearing inscriptions from Eikyo 8 through 10 have also been found, further documenting the reconstruction period. The gate subsequently underwent repairs in 1606 (Keicho 11), 1697 (Genroku 10), and 1914 (Taisho 3), ensuring its preservation through the centuries.

Why It Was Designated a National Treasure

The Nandaimon was first designated as an Important Cultural Property on March 27, 1901, and was elevated to National Treasure status on March 31, 1953. Several factors contributed to this prestigious designation.

First, the gate preserves the original scale and proportions of the Asuka-period gate it replaced. Its floor plan closely matches one of the "Buddha Gates" recorded in the ancient Shizaicho (Record of Temple Properties), suggesting that the builders of 1438 deliberately maintained the dimensions of the earlier structure — a remarkable example of historical continuity spanning centuries.

Second, the Nandaimon is recognized as one of the finest examples of Muromachi-period gate architecture in Japan. Compared to the Todaimon (East Great Gate) of the same temple, which is an earlier and simpler eight-legged gate, the Nandaimon displays a more ornate and decorative character. Its use of degumi (projecting bracket complexes), hana-hijiki (flower-shaped bearing blocks), and coffered ceilings throughout the interior reflects the elegant aesthetic sensibilities of the medieval period. Architectural historians regard it as one of the most accomplished surviving structures from the Muromachi era.

Furthermore, as part of the Horyuji Temple complex, the Nandaimon is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area," registered in 1993 as Japan's very first World Heritage designation. The site encompasses 47 buildings belonging to Horyuji and one at nearby Hokki-ji Temple, representing an unparalleled record of the development of Buddhist architecture in Japan from the 7th through the 19th century.

Architectural Highlights and Points of Interest

The Nandaimon is a sanken-ikko hakkyakumon — a three-bay, single-entrance, eight-legged gate. This imposing format features twelve pillars in total: four main columns defining the gate's central structure, plus eight supporting "leg" pillars arranged in rows of four on the front and rear sides. The round pillars rise from natural stone foundation bases, and the central bay serves as the passageway, with the flanking bays enclosed by earthen walls.

The roof is constructed in the irimoya-zukuri (hipped-gable) style and covered with traditional hon-kawarabuki (formal tile roofing). One of the most striking visual features is the dramatic nokizori — a strong upward curve of the eaves sweeping from the center outward to both sides. This pronounced curvature is a Chinese architectural technique rarely seen in such bold expression at Japanese temples, offering a tangible connection to the continental building traditions that shaped early Japanese architecture.

The bracket system is particularly noteworthy. The kashiranuki (head tie beams) are adorned with kibana (ornamental nose-like projections), while the kumimono (bracket complexes) employ degumi construction with kobushi-bana (fist-shaped decorations). Tail rafters (odaruki) are used only at the corner positions, and the intermediate supports between bracket sets feature elegant hana-hijiki (flower bearing blocks). The gable end is decorated with a koryō-taihei-zuka composition — a large bottle-shaped strut set upon a rainbow beam.

The interior ceiling is entirely fitted with kumiire-tenjo (coffered panels), a luxurious treatment that distinguishes this gate from the more austere Todaimon. The floor of the raised stone platform is paved with kawara-shihanjiki (tiles laid in a diagonal pattern), adding to the refined character of the structure.

One particularly fascinating detail lies just in front of the gate: the "Tai-ishi" (sea bream stone), one of the legendary "Seven Mysteries of Horyuji." According to temple lore, floodwaters never rise above this stone, protecting the sacred precincts from inundation.

It is also worth noting that, unlike many other temple south gates in Japan, the Nandaimon of Horyuji has never housed Nio (Guardian King) statues. From the temple's founding, the imposing Kongo Rikishi figures have been enshrined in the Chumon (Inner Gate) instead — a unique arrangement among major Japanese Buddhist temples.

Visitor Information

The Nandaimon stands at the entrance to the temple grounds and can be viewed freely at any time without a ticket. To enter the inner temple precincts — including the Western Precinct (Saiin Garan) with its world-famous five-story pagoda and Kondo, the Great Treasure Hall (Daihozoin), and the Eastern Precinct (Toin Garan) with its Hall of Dreams (Yumedono) — an admission ticket is required.

Visiting hours are 8:00 to 17:00 from February 22 through November 3, and 8:00 to 16:30 from November 4 through February 21. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Admission is 2,000 yen for adults (high school students and above), 1,700 yen for junior high school students, and 1,000 yen for elementary school students. The ticket covers all three main precinct areas.

The temple is accessible from JR Horyuji Station on the Yamatoji Line, approximately a 20-minute walk (1.3 km) northward, or a short 5-minute bus ride to the "Horyuji Monzen" bus stop. From Kintetsu Tsutsui Station, take a bus bound for Oji and alight at "Horyuji-mae," then walk about 5 minutes. Paid parking lots are available near the Nandaimon.

Surrounding Attractions

The area around Horyuji Temple offers a rich tapestry of cultural and historical sites that complement a visit to the Nandaimon and the temple complex. Chuguji Temple, located just behind the Eastern Precinct, is renowned for its exquisite Miroku Bosatsu statue — a masterpiece of Asuka-period sculpture featuring an enigmatic, gentle smile. Hoki-ji Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage component, preserves Japan's oldest and largest three-story pagoda, a short bicycle ride away through the scenic Ikaruga countryside.

Horinji Temple (also known as Mitsui-dera) is yet another Shotoku-Taishi-related temple nearby, housing a beautiful Yakushi Nyorai statue and offering a more tranquil atmosphere. For history enthusiasts, the Fujinoki Kofun, a 6th-century tumulus with periodic public openings of its stone burial chamber, provides a fascinating glimpse into the Asuka period. The Ikaruga area as a whole is ideal for cycling, with rental bicycles available near JR Horyuji Station, allowing visitors to explore the temples and pastoral landscapes at a leisurely pace.