General Timeline
752: The Original date of the complex's opening. Started as an edict by Emperor Shōmu, it was built to provide relief to the people as disasters manmade and natural ravaged the country, while having the added benefits of being a central place from where to exert religious control of a fragmented religious and political landscape. Despite its goal, the complex fell to ruin multiple times due to these same disasters. There were long periods of time when buildings could simply not be maintained, or the city itself was deserted. But the site, memory, and records remained. Like the people of the land, Todai-ji endured. Wealthy patrons along with dedicated monks gathered relief efforts to rebuild the complex multiple times over the centuries. Today we see the amalgamation of all that effort in its distinct architectural style. A mix of different Chinese motifs (Religious and courtly), Korean (from imported workers), and native Japanese (Specially during the most recent reconstructions).
1192: As the Kamakura Shogunate establishes itself it begins to fund massive reconstruction efforts. This is when we first see some of Todai-ji’s iconic sites brought back into the forms we see today.
1709: Settling in on a long period of internal peace, the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo period (1603 – 1868) began reconstruction of Todai-ji at a scale not seen since the Kamakura period. Buildings of this time were more influenced by native motifs but still retained the distinct Buddhist nature. The blend would give birth to the Daibutsuyou style Todai-ji is familiar with in current days.
2011: Despite being a constant topic in regards of necessary facilities, a museum and storage place was not built until early in this century. In October 2011, Todai-ji Museum opened. A modern facility with all the amenities you could ask for. Not only is it a state-of-the-art museum but it can handle most of the disasters that plagued Todai-ji in the past. Now, the treasures of the past have a safe place, just in case. The building itself is clearly modern but in a way that blends in with the rest of the complex, a sign of an evolving architectural style. The addition of this museum along with the larger visitor center it is a part of, properly showcase the ability of Japanese architecture to evolve while keeping its own identity. At the same time, it shows us exactly how this identity was developed and what contributed to it. It is a great experience to walk through a site started over 1000 years ago that retains most of its general layout and architectural style, with all the facilitations and conveniences of a 21st century public park. That being heavily edited videos projected on museum walls with easy access to knick·knacks and well maintained restrooms.