Visit Nara

This temple was originally the palace of Prince Shotoku’s mother, which later became a nunnery. It is worth visiting for its two treasures. The Miroku Bosatsu is an elegant seated figure, carved from camphor wood and finished in dark lacquer in the Asuka period. With its serene face and beautifully-balanced proportions, it is a superb example of Buddhist art and invites quiet contemplation. The other treasure to see is an intricately embroidered image of heaven, which was commissioned by Prince Shotoku’s consort after his death.