Nara Period Miniature Stupas

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Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
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published on 30 November 2018
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Nara Period Miniature Stupas Download Full Size Image

These are miniature stupas (hyakumanto). A stupa is a structure in a Buddhist temple that contains religious relics. Empress Shotoku (reigned 764-770 CE) ordered a million of these miniature wooden stupas to be made. Each one contained a printed Buddhist prayer that gave thanks after she crushed a rebellion led by Emi-no-Oshikatsu. One hundred thousand were given to each of ten great monasteries. Many still survive at Horyuji temple, Nara. Wood, pigment. From Japan. Circa 764 CE. (The British Museum, London).

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About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

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APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2018, November 30). Nara Period Miniature Stupas. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/9533/nara-period-miniature-stupas/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Nara Period Miniature Stupas." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified November 30, 2018. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/9533/nara-period-miniature-stupas/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Nara Period Miniature Stupas." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 30 Nov 2018. Web. 21 Feb 2025.

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