If you admire the Japanese pagodas, you probably noticed the complex structures decorating the top. Called sōrin (which ca be translated as “alternate rings"), they are usually made of bronze, with a very complicated design and an impressive size.

Because it’s on top of the pagoda, the sōrin is usually hard so see. But at the Todai-ji Temple from Nara, you can admire from up-close a dismantled sōrin, the one that decorated the replica of the Todai-ji seven-storied pagoda that was built for the Expo ‘70 World Fair from Osaka. After the fair, the sōrin was displayed at the Todai-ji Temple, close to the Daibutsuden Hall.

Sorin, Todai-ji Temple, Nara

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Osaka’s high-rise