One of the “One Million Pagodas” (Hyakumanto)
Not on view
These miniature wooden pagodas are two of one million commissioned by Empress Shōtoku (718–770) and distributed to Japan’s ten major temples. The offering commemorated and offered thanks to Buddhist deities for their help in suppressing the Emi Rebellion in 764. These examples belonged to the Hōryūji temple in Nara, where three thousand pagodas were given away in 1908 to supporters. Each pagoda was painted white and contained a printed invocation.
On view for all rotations
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