Todaiji Temple, located in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, is one of Japan's representative Buddhist temples and an important symbol of the history and culture of the ancient capital of Nara. This temple was founded in the Nara Period (8th century) at the initiative of Emperor Shomu, and was built based on the principle of “Jingo-no-Kokoku,” which aimed to stabilize the nation through the power of Buddhism. Todaiji Temple is especially known for the Great Buddha of Nara (the statue of Rushanabutsu) enshrined in the main hall, known as the Daibutsuden, which attracts many visitors for its grandeur and technical sophistication. The founding of Todaiji Temple was inspired by the background of the difficulties Japan was facing at the time, such as epidemics, natural disasters, and famine. To overcome these calamities, Emperor Shomu promoted a policy of national support for Buddhism and ordered the construction of Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddha as a symbol of this policy. The casting of the statue of the Great Buddha began in 743, and an eye-opening ceremony was held in 752. Monks and aristocrats from all over Asia at the time gathered for this memorial service, and there are records of international Buddhist cultural exchanges taking place. The Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple was once described as the largest wooden structure in the world, and its sheer scale is overwhelming. The current building, rebuilt in 1709, is said to be about two-thirds the size of the original, but its grandeur still leaves a strong impression on visitors. The statue of the Great Buddha itself has undergone repeated restorations and renovations over its long history, but it is still a crystallization of Buddhist art and technology from the Nara period. In 1998, Todaiji Temple was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the “Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara. Todaiji is widely recognized as a cultural icon representing Japan, appreciated not only for its religious facilities but also for its history, culture, architecture, and art.