Byakugo-ji Temple | Yamanobe-no-Michi | The Buddha | uṇṇā | Visit Nara | Hiking Japan

Byakugo-ji Temple
There are few written explanations of the Buddha's actual physical appearance and no extant representations in artistic form until roughly the 2nd century CE. However, the Buddha was said to have displayed the 32 signs of a great man, with number 31 being: uṇṇā ... bhamukantare jātā odātā mudutūlasannibhā...the tuft of hair between the eyebrows on his forehead is very white like cotton.
The uṇṇā, or byakugo in Japanese, is from which this peaceful temple located above the gentile slopes of the western foothills of Mount Takamado derives its name.
This was once the location of the luxurious residence of Prince Shiki, (posthumously known as Emperor Kasuga) the 7th son of Emperor Tenji. He spent a life devoted to the arts and 6 of his poems were included in the Man'yōshū, the oldest extant collection of Japanese waka poetry compiled during the Nara period. After his death, the temple we are enjoying today was established, although the exact date remains unknown.
Byakugo-ji Temple is known for its serene atmosphere, delightful bush clovers in autumn and its fabulous views overlooking Nara City. You can clearly see the 5 story pagoda of Kohfuku-ji Temple and if you can just stretch your neck past some large trees, the golden rooftop shibi of Todai-ji Temple.
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The following is a poem composed by Prince Shiki upon visiting Naniwa Palace (706)
Ashibe yuku
Kamo no hagai ni
Shimi furite
Samuke yūke wa
Yamato shi omōyu
In among the reeds
Go to mallards through the frost
Falling on their wings:
Cold twilight, the still hour
Of longing for Yamato.
Access:
Address: 392 Byakugojicho, Nara, 630-8302
Phone: [phone]
Hours: 9:00-17:00
Admission: Adults ¥500 | Jnr & High School ¥300 | Primary School: ¥ 200
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