This is a copy of the Record of Pilgrimage to the Seven Great Temples of Nara (Shichidaiji nikki), a record created by someone who traveled to several temples in Yamato Province during the first half of the twelfth century. It includes what the pilgrim heard and saw at the temples he visited—Tōdaiji, Kōfukuji, Gangōji, Daianji, Saidaiji, Yakushiji, and Hōryūji. His record makes reference to other sources in recounting various legends and provides a sense of the states of statues and buildings at the time.
NOJIRI TadashiEnglish by Mary Lewine
Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, p.349, no.40.
This booklet is a record of a pilgrimage to the seven major temples in Nara in the late Heian period. This record was reportedly edited by Ōe Chikamichi in 1106, but opinions differ about this date and the author.
The record covers the Tōdai-ji, Kōfuku-ji, Gangō-ji, Daian-ji, Saidai-ji, Yakushi-ji, and Hōryū-ji temples in this order. The origin of the temples, temple buildings and Buddhist statues are described briefly, and the biography of Priest Gyōki is added. This record, as well as the "Private Record of the Pilgrimage to the Seven Principal Temples", is an important historical document which describes the situation of the temples in Nara during the 12th century.
This booklet which is a copy made in 1255, is the only extant copy of this document. It originally had been kept in Kanchi-in in Tō-ji temple.
Masterpieces of Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 1993, p.90, no.68.
















































































