Road of Light and Hope
National Treasures of Todai-ji Temple, Nara
Photographs by Miro Ito

co-presented by Media Art League, Japan Camera Industry Institute, and The Japan Foundation, Toronto
Photographed with the special permission of Todai-ji, Japan

March 15, 2017 – June 28, 2017

*Artist talk with Miro Ito on May 26, 2017, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

The history of the city of Nara can be traced back to its years as the ancient capital of Japan from 710 to 784 when it was known as Heijokyo. Japan’s administrative systems and legal codes were reformed by the central government in Nara on the basis of the newly adopted state religion, Buddhism, as well as Chinese Confucianism and legalism. As part of this national transformation, a central temple was built in each province, and in order to oversee these provincial religious centres, the Todai-ji temple was established in Nara by Emperor Shomu.

The Great Buddha Hall which houses the seated statue of the Vairocana Buddha with a height of over 15 metres is the centrepiece of the Todai-ji temple. The Hall was once surrounded by buildings, towers, and other facilities on a grand scale. Repeated periods of destruction were followed by rebuilding, and the surviving buildings and artifacts at the Todai-ji temple are part of the precious heritage which many Japanese identify with, as well as an important example of human civilization recognised the world over.

At the time of the construction of the Todai-ji temple in the eighth century, the Eurasian continent was ruled by myriad powers: from the western Kingdom of the Franks under Charlemagne, the Byzantine Empire, the Umayyad dynasty and Abbasid-Seljuq Empire, to the Tang dynasty under Emperor Xuanzong in the east.

Nara is considered to be the easternmost terminus of the Silk Road extending through Eurasia from Rome. Trade and cultural exchange in the eighth century led to these statues, structures, musical instruments, and craftsmanship to be accumulated at this temple. The influence from the West can be detected in many of these cultural treasures, which are the signs of a flourishing cultural exchange.

This photo exhibition is a tribute to the remarkable historical exchange among various ethnic and religious groups, philosophies and teachings, arts and artisanship, as well as diverse folk cultures of the Eurasian continent.

Miro Ito is one of the few photographers who have been permitted to document the national treasures at the Todai-ji Temple.

Miro Ito states:

“Amid today’s religious divisions and clashes as well as the countless — seemingly endless — conflicts, the Eurasian history of interactions may well hold a key for bringing the world together…”  

GALLERY HOURS       *exhibition will be closed on April 25th from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm.

Mon 11:30 am – 6:30 pm EXTENDED HOURS
Tues 11:30 am – 4:30 pm
Wed 11:30 am – 4:30 pm
Thurs 11:30 am – 6:30 pm EXTENDED HOURS
Fri 11:30 am – 4:30 pm

Saturday openings:
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
March 18, April 8, 22, May 13, 27, June 10, 24

Closed: Other Saturdays and Sundays
Closed for Easter: April 14 to 17
May 22 (Victoria Day)

ADMISSION: FREE

In conjunction with this photography exhibit by Miro Ito, the Tenpyo Art Screenings will cover a variety of related subjects; Gigaku masks; fire festivals in Nara, Gagaku ancient music, and much more.

For more details >

SPECIAL THANKS:

Todai-ji Temple, Nara National Museum, Nippon Care Communications, Japan National Tourism Organization

Equipment provided by Canon Marketing Japan, Iino Media Pro
Scroll photo printed by Canon USA
English text for the photographs edited by Andreas Boettcher