A Japan Photo per Day

Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate

Mar 7, 2012 | 74 feedbacks »

The Tōdai-ji Temple from Nara was established in 728 and, like many other Japanese temples, suffered a lot of changes during its history, with buildings destroyed and rebuilt several times. Its main gate, Nandaimon (meaning “Great South Gate"), was destroyed during the Heian period (794–1185), but after it was rebuilt at the end of the Kamakura period (1185–1333), it managed to survive until today.

Nandaimon is a sanmon type gate or sangedatsumon, which can be translated as the “gate of the three liberations". Built with 6 pillars, its 3 entrances are symbolizing the three gates to enlightenment. Its role is to separate the sacred area from the profane space (same role as the Shinto torii gates), so when the visitor passes through such a gate, it is considered that he will be cleansed of three evil passions: greed, hatred and foolishness.

I photographed Nandaimon on a summer evening, with its old wood almost shining in the warm light of the sunset…

Click on photo for higher resolution:

Nandaimon Gate, Todai-ji Temple, Nara
Nandaimon Gate, Todai-ji Temple, Nara

Info:

Nikon D300
Lens: 8-16mm F/4.5-5.6
Focal Length: 9.5mm
Aperture: F/7.1
Shutter Speed: 1/800s
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 250

Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Mekura-ishi, the Blind stone


 
 


Let's connect on



Leave a comment


Your email address will not be revealed on this site.
 If you have a gravatar, it will be automatically displayed.

Your URL will be displayed.
(Line breaks become <br />)
(Name, email & website)
(Allow users to contact you through a message form (your email will not be revealed.)
Sorry to bother you with a CAPTCHA,
but with so many SPAM bots, I need a proof that you're a real person...
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://muza-chan.net
@Richa:
Thank you :)
03/14/12 @ 14:29
 Richa · http://www.chardham-pilgrimage-tour.com
The image which you places is really awesome. I will definitely go for this temple tour after I complete my Char Dham Yatra in India.
03/14/12 @ 13:07
icon purplehayz
tweeted:
A #Japan photo per day: Sightseeing Nara, sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/13/12 @ 01:52
icon nina5478
tweeted:
Reading: "Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate"( [link] )
03/12/12 @ 05:50
icon fiberwoman15
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/12/12 @ 00:32
icon DTravelsRound
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/10/12 @ 03:40
icon GoyaRepublic
tweeted:
GoyaRepublic E-Zine: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/09/12 @ 22:05
icon GoyaRepublic
tweeted:
GoyaRepublic E-Zine: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at the temple gate Muza-Chan's Japan... [link]
03/09/12 @ 22:04
 Alexa Meisler · http://www.52perfectdays.com
Great shot of the temple! It looks like its sparkling. Thanks for posting!
03/09/12 @ 20:21
icon Quipidity
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/09/12 @ 16:39
icon nispell
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/09/12 @ 12:06
icon SophieR
tweeted:
Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan #Japan
03/09/12 @ 10:49
icon angelacorrias
tweeted:
Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan #Japan
03/09/12 @ 10:35
icon TraveloCafe
tweeted:
Beautiful! A #Japan #Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/09/12 @ 10:11
 @morethingsjapan · http://morethingsjapanese.com
For some reason I missed getting a picture of this when I went. Luckily I got plenty of pictures from inside and of the deer. Thanks for sharing!
03/09/12 @ 01:35
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://muza-chan.net
@Cathy Sweeney:
Thank you, Cathy (^_^)
03/08/12 @ 17:04
 Cathy Sweeney · http://www.travelingwithsweeney.com
What a beautiful photo of Nandaimon Gate. Love the effect of the sunset.
03/08/12 @ 17:00
 Muza-chan
on-Google+:
+Eiji Kumamaru Surely, probably right this summer (^_^)
03/08/12 @ 12:09
 Eiji Kumamaru
on-Google+:
+Lili Florea Oh. You're unlucky. Challenge next time^^.
03/08/12 @ 11:52
 Muza-chan
on-Google+:
+Andrew Graeme Gould It's a great place, I want to visit it again someday...
03/08/12 @ 07:51
 Muza-chan
on-Google+:
+John Asano Thank you, John (^_^)
03/08/12 @ 07:50
 Muza-chan
on-Google+:
+Eiji Kumamaru I was tempted, but I was with a sprained ankle at the time, so I didn't try... (^_^)
03/08/12 @ 07:49
 John Asano
on-Google+:
Amazing place and a great picture of the Nandaimon gate :)
03/08/12 @ 02:58
 Eiji Kumamaru
on-Google+:
I have been there. Did you try go through a big post?
03/08/12 @ 02:35
icon CR2JPN
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/08/12 @ 01:17
icon GoneWithFamily
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] #Japan #photo
03/07/12 @ 22:04
 Andrew Graeme Gould
on-Google+:
A beautiful place to visit (as I've said in my comment on the post).
03/07/12 @ 21:34
 Andrew Graeme Gould · http://www.andrewgraemegould.com/
I visited this temple many years back, and it was so impressive. Beautiful light in your photo here.
03/07/12 @ 21:31
 Muza-chan
on-Google+:
+Yudha Inggar Thank you (^_^)
03/07/12 @ 19:27
 Yudha Inggar
on-Google+:
wonderful colors :D
03/07/12 @ 19:19
icon TheMarke
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] #Japan #photo
03/07/12 @ 18:59
icon TravelOTC
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate : [link] re
03/07/12 @ 18:00
icon mintnmushroomee
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] #Japan #photo
03/07/12 @ 17:40
icon floraandflying
tweeted:
On my must see list "@Lovelylanvin: Nandaimon Gate, Todai-ji Temple, Nara [link]
03/07/12 @ 17:17
icon Lovelylanvin
tweeted:
Nandaimon Gate, Todai-ji Temple, Nara [link]
03/07/12 @ 17:05
icon pinetree14
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] #Japan #photo
03/07/12 @ 16:47
icon Wolfsfell
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] #Japan #photo
03/07/12 @ 16:43
icon 5thstar
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] #Japan #photo
03/07/12 @ 16:42
icon fjjasinski
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan #Japan
03/07/12 @ 16:20
icon ItalianNotes
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/07/12 @ 16:16
icon kun_san
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 15:18
icon RekishinoTabi
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/07/12 @ 14:58
icon ParisBuFF
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/07/12 @ 13:14
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://muza-chan.net
@Isabella:
Thank you :)
03/07/12 @ 12:38
 Isabella
Wow! What a beautiful photograph!
03/07/12 @ 12:37
icon wonderoflight
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 12:13
icon MichaelKeepper
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 09:29
icon DShojiNakamoto
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 08:36
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://muza-chan.net
@Manuela:
Have a good trip! (^_^)
03/07/12 @ 08:26
 Manuela Email
It's beautiful!Thank you!!! I can't wait to see it for my self! I'm just 3 weeks away!
03/07/12 @ 08:21
icon harj7
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 08:08
icon superlasteves
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/07/12 @ 08:03
icon talkyr86
tweeted:
Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 08:00
icon shozzan
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/07/12 @ 07:07
icon sakura_francais
tweeted:
RT @muzachan: Une photo du Japon par jour - Tourisme à Nara, couché de Soleil à la Porte Nandaimon [link]
03/07/12 @ 07:00
icon japanobserver
tweeted:
Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate (#Muzachan) [link]
03/07/12 @ 05:34
 Japan Australia · http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/
Todaiji is an amazing place and the Nandaimon spectacular :)
03/07/12 @ 05:30
icon diegomiyabisama
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 05:29
icon Toshogu
tweeted:
Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 05:20
icon Japan_Australia
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/07/12 @ 05:15
icon siliafr
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 05:02
icon IH39
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 04:55
icon JoannaTanChong
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/07/12 @ 04:55
icon bowlofcherry
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 04:13
icon AussieOnTheIzu
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] via @Muzachan
03/07/12 @ 04:10
icon TravelOTC
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate : [link]
03/07/12 @ 03:30
icon Yuriusu
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 03:28
icon tweetercation
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate: The Tdai-ji Temple from Nara was established... [link]
03/07/12 @ 03:26
icon Hinode_Photos
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 03:19
icon Jankovitch
tweeted:
A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] RT @Muzachan
03/07/12 @ 03:19
icon marmotmx
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 03:18
icon bigmax722
tweeted:
RT @Muzachan: A Japan Photo per Day - Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link]
03/07/12 @ 03:17
icon JasonAndAracely
tweeted:
Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate: The Tōdai-ji Temple from Nara was established in 728 a... [link] via @Muzachan
03/07/12 @ 03:12
icon MikuKikuko
tweeted:
[Muza-chan] Sightseeing Nara, Sunset at Nandaimon Gate [link] /via @muzachan
03/07/12 @ 03:12