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Fire drill at Horyu-ji temple

Monks pray at World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2025, ahead of a fire drill. Jan. 26 was designated in 1955 as a day for raising awareness about protecting cultural assets from fire after one of Horyu-ji temple's buildings burned down on the same day in 1949.

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Fire drill at Horyu-ji temple

Monks and firefighters participate in an annual fire drill at World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2025. Jan. 26 was designated in 1955 as a day for raising awareness about protecting cultural assets from fire after one of Horyu-ji temple's buildings burned down on the same day in 1949.

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Fire drill at Horyu-ji temple

Monks and firefighters participate in an annual fire drill at World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2025. Jan. 26 was designated in 1955 as a day for raising awareness about protecting cultural assets from fire after one of Horyu-ji temple's buildings burned down on the same day in 1949.

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Horyu-ji temple in western Japan

File photo taken in November 2007 from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Horyu-ji, a World Heritage-listed Buddhist temple founded in the seventh century, in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan.

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Fire drill at World Heritage-listed Horyuji

IKARUGA, Japan, Jan. 26 Kyodo - A fire drill is held at the World Heritage-listed Buddhist temple Horyuji in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2024. (Kyodo)

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Fire drill at World Heritage-listed Horyuji

A fire drill is held at the World Heritage-listed Buddhist temple Horyuji in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2024.

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Fire drill at World Heritage-listed Horyuji

A fire drill is held at the World Heritage-listed Buddhist temple Horyuji in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2024.

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Fire drill at World Heritage-listed Horyuji

A fire drill is held at the World Heritage-listed Buddhist temple Horyuji in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2024.

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Ancient grave found near World Heritage-listed Japan temple

Photo taken Sept. 8, 2023, shows a roof tile discovered in an ancient grave recently found at a parking lot near the World Heritage-listed Horyuji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan. The grave dates back to the late sixth century.

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Ancient grave found near World Heritage-listed Japan temple

Photo taken Sept. 8, 2023, shows an ancient grave found at a parking lot near the World Heritage-listed Horyuji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan. The grave dates back to the late sixth century.

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Japan's former emperor, empress in Nara

Japan's former Emperor Akihito (far L) and former Empress Michiko visit Chugu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on May 17, 2023. (Pool photo)

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Japan's former emperor, empress in Nara

Japan's former Emperor Akihito (far L) and former Empress Michiko visit Chugu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on May 17, 2023. (Pool photo)

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Japan's former emperor, empress in Nara

Japan's former Emperor Akihito (far L) and former Empress Michiko visit Chugu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on May 17, 2023. (Pool photo)

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Fire drill at Horyuji Temple

Monks pray at World Heritage-listed Horyuji Temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2023, ahead of a fire drill. Jan. 26 was designated in 1955 as a day for raising awareness about protecting cultural assets from fire after one of the temple buildings burned down on Jan. 26, 1949.

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Fire drill at Horyuji Temple

Monks and firefighters participate in a fire hose exercise during an annual drill at World Heritage-listed Horyuji Temple in the Nara Prefecture town of Ikaruga, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2023. Jan. 26 was designated in 1955 as a day to raise awareness of protecting cultural assets from fire after one of the temple buildings burned down on Jan. 26, 1949.

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Fire drill at Horyuji Temple

Monks and firefighters participate in a fire hose exercise during an annual drill at World Heritage-listed Horyuji Temple in the Nara Prefecture town of Ikaruga, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2023. Jan. 26 was designated in 1955 as a day to raise awareness of protecting cultural assets from fire after one of the temple buildings burned down on Jan. 26, 1949.

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Fire drill at Horyuji Temple

Monks and firefighters participate in a fire hose exercise during an annual drill at World Heritage-listed Horyuji Temple in the Nara Prefecture town of Ikaruga, western Japan, on Jan. 26, 2023. Jan. 26 was designated in 1955 as a day to raise awareness of protecting cultural assets from fire after one of the temple buildings burned down on Jan. 26, 1949.

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Moat, 'haniwa' fragments found at Ikaruga-Otsuka tumulus

NARA, Japan - Photo taken on March 24, 2014, shows the Ikaruga-Otsuka tumulus' excavation site in Ikaruga town, Nara Prefecture. The education board of the town announced the same day that an ancient moat and fragments of "haniwa" clay figures have been discovered at the site.

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Female priest serves at temple in Nara for 5 decades

NARA, Japan - Photo taken Oct. 9, 2013, shows Hinonishi Koson, chief priest at Chugu temple in the ancient town of Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture. Having served at the temple for more than five decades since 1961, she recently compiled a photo book about her life there.

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Fire drill at Horyuji in Nara Pref.

NARA, Japan - Firefighters discharge water during a fire drill at Horyuji, a Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, on Jan. 26, 2010. Some 100 monks and firefighters took part in the drill, which has been conducted annually on Jan. 26 after a fire took place at the temple's Kondo (Golden Hall) the same day in 1949. Horyuji was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

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Firefighting drills conducted at Horyuji Temple in Nara

IKARUGA, Japan - Monks and firefighters participate in firefighting drills conducted at Horyuji Temple in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26 to prevent recurrence of the 1949 fire that destroyed wall paintings at its Kondo main hall.

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(1)Pieces of possibly oldest colored wall painting found at Horyuji

KASHIHARA, Japan - Charred pieces of what may be the oldest colored wall painting in Japan have been excavated from the remains of what is believed to be the original monastery of Horyuji Temple in Nara Prefecture, a local board of education said on Dec. 1. The biggest of the fragments (top left) measures 5 cm by 4 cm. It is the first time for wall painting fragments to be excavated from the monastery, said to have been built in 607 by Prince Shotoku (574-622) in the town of Ikaruga and destroyed by fire 63 years later.

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(4)Pieces of possibly oldest colored wall painting found at Horyuji

KASHIHARA, Japan - Masahiko Hirata, of the Ikaruga Board of Education, Nara Prefecture, speaks of charred pieces of what may be the oldest colored wall painting in Japan that have been excavated from the remains of what is believed to be the original monastery of Horyuji Temple in the prefecture. ''It is a valuable discovery that will have great impact on fields such as art history and architectural history,'' he said.

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(1)Horyuji Temple confirmed built after 668 A.D.

NARA, Japan - Pointing to growth rings of the timbers used, two officials of the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties brief reporters on Horyuji Temple on July 15. They said the temple's main hall in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture has been found to have been built after 668, evidence against the theory that the famous temple was rebuilt between 708 and 714 after it was destroyed by a fire.

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(2)Horyuji Temple confirmed built after 668 A.D.

NARA, Japan - File photo shows the main hall (R), middle gate (bottom), five-storied pagoda (L) and lecture hall (top) of Horyuji Temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture. The Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties said on July 15 that the main hall has been found to have been built after 668, evidence against the theory that the famous temple was rebuilt between 708 and 714 after it was destroyed by a fire.

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Fire drill held at world's oldest wooden building

NARA, Japan - Firefighters hold a fire drill Jan. 26 at the temple of Horyuji in the town of Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is the oldest wooden structure in the world. Some 100 firefighters and five fire engines took part.

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Horyuji Yumedono (Dream Hall)

Horyuji is a monastery temple located in the town of Ikaruga, some distance north of the Asuka region, Nara Prefecture. Originally it was a modest temple said to have been built in the early 7th century by order of Prince Shotoku, the prince regent, whose palace, Ikaruga no Miya, was being erected nearby. In time Horyuji was enlarged into a monastery famous for Buddhist studies, especially the doctrines of the Hosso Sect. Yumedono (Dream Hall) was buit on the site of Shotoku's chapel. According to legend, the prince was instructed by a golden being who appeared to him in a dream.

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Wall paintings in Golden Hall of Horyuji Temple

Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2022, shows wall paintings in the Golden Hall of World Heritage-listed Horyuji Temple in the Nara Prefecture town of Ikaruga, western Japan. The murals from around the late seventh century and early eighth century, which were damaged in a 1949 fire in the Golden Hall, were unveiled to the media the same day ahead of their Nov. 2-30 exhibition for people who joined a crowdfunding drive to preserve them.

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Wall paintings in Golden Hall of Horyuji Temple

Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2022, shows wall paintings in the Golden Hall of World Heritage-listed Horyuji Temple in the Nara Prefecture town of Ikaruga, western Japan. The murals from around the late seventh century and early eighth century, which were damaged in a 1949 fire in the Golden Hall, were unveiled to the media the same day ahead of their Nov. 2-30 exhibition for people who joined a crowdfunding drive to preserve them.

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Wall paintings in Golden Hall of Horyuji Temple

Photo taken on Nov. 1, 2022, shows wall paintings in the Golden Hall of World Heritage-listed Horyuji Temple in the Nara Prefecture town of Ikaruga, western Japan. The murals from around the late seventh century and early eighth century, which were damaged in a 1949 fire in the Golden Hall, were unveiled to the media the same day ahead of their Nov. 2-30 exhibition for people who joined a crowdfunding drive to preserve them.

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(4)Pieces of possibly oldest colored wall painting found at Hory

KASHIHARA, Japan - Masahiko Hirata, of the Ikaruga Board of Education, Nara Prefecture, speaks of charred pieces of what may be the oldest colored wall painting in Japan that have been excavated from the remains of what is believed to be the original monastery of Horyuji Temple in the prefecture. ''It is a valuable discovery that will have great impact on fields such as art history and architectural history,'' he said. (Kyodo)

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(1)Pieces of possibly oldest colored wall painting found at Hory

KASHIHARA, Japan - Charred pieces of what may be the oldest colored wall painting in Japan have been excavated from the remains of what is believed to be the original monastery of Horyuji Temple in Nara Prefecture, a local board of education said on Dec. 1. The biggest of the fragments (top left) measures 5 cm by 4 cm. It is the first time for wall painting fragments to be excavated from the monastery, said to have been built in 607 by Prince Shotoku (574-622) in the town of Ikaruga and destroyed by fire 63 years later. (Kyodo)

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Fire drill held at world's oldest wooden building

NARA, Japan - Firefighters hold a fire drill Jan. 26 at the temple of Horyuji in the town of Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is the oldest wooden structure in the world. Some 100 firefighters and five fire engines took part. (Kyodo)

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Ceremony in memory of ancient Japanese politician Prince Shotoku

A ceremony in memory of Prince Shotoku, an ancient Japanese politician who died in 622, is held at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple -- said to have been built by him -- in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2021.

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Fire drill at Horyuji Temple

Photo taken Jan. 26, 2016, in the western Japan town of Ikaruga shows a fire drill at Horyuji Temple, a world cultural heritage site. Around 100 monks and firefighters took part. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Fire drill at Horyuji Temple

Photo taken Jan. 26, 2016, in the western Japan town of Ikaruga shows a fire drill at Horyuji Temple, a world cultural heritage site. Around 100 monks and firefighters took part. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Tokyo Olympic torch relay

A Tokyo Olympic torch relay participant runs at Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on April 12, 2021.

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Tokyo Olympic torch relay

A Tokyo Olympic torch relay participant runs at Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on April 12, 2021.

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Tokyo Olympic torch relay

A Tokyo Olympic torch relay participant runs at Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on April 12, 2021.

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Ceremony in memory of ancient Japanese politician Prince Shotoku

A ceremony in memory of Prince Shotoku, an ancient Japanese politician who died in 622, is held at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple -- said to have been built by him -- in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2021.

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Ceremony in memory of ancient Japanese politician Prince Shotoku

A ceremony in memory of Prince Shotoku, an ancient Japanese politician who died in 622, is held at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple -- said to have been built by him -- in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2021.

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Ceremony in memory of ancient Japanese politician Prince Shotoku

A ceremony in memory of Prince Shotoku, an ancient Japanese politician who died in 622, is held at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple -- said to have been built by him -- in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2021.

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Ceremony in memory of ancient Japanese politician Prince Shotoku

A ceremony in memory of Prince Shotoku, an ancient Japanese politician who died in 622, is held at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple -- said to have been built by him -- in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2021.

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Ceremony in memory of ancient Japanese politician Prince Shotoku

A ceremony in memory of Prince Shotoku, an ancient Japanese politician who died in 622, is held at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple -- said to have been built by him -- in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2021.

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Ceremony in memory of ancient Japanese politician Prince Shotoku

Dancers perform during a ceremony held in memory of Prince Shotoku, an ancient Japanese politician who died in 622, at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple -- said to have been built by him -- in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2021.

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Ceremony in memory of ancient Japanese politician Prince Shotoku

A ceremony in memory of Prince Shotoku, an ancient Japanese politician who died in 622, is held at the World Heritage-listed Horyu-ji temple -- said to have been built by him -- in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on April 3, 2021.

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Scorched murals at west Japan temple to be surveyed for preservation

Photo taken on Nov. 11, 2015, shows one of scorched murals subject to a comprehensive survey at the Horyu-ji Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, western Japan. The murals, shown to the press the same day for the first time since they were scorched in a 1949 fire, were drawn between the late seventh and early eighth centuries. They are designated as important Japanese cultural heritage. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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West Japan temple to mull ways of preserving scorched murals

The Horyu-ji Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, western Japan, displays scorched murals in its treasure house on Nov. 11, 2015. The temple will conduct comprehensive research on the important Japanese cultural heritage, drawn between the late seventh and early eighth centuries, for the first time since they were scorched in a 1949 fire. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Scorched temple murals unveiled before survey for preservation

The Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, western Japan, displays scorched murals in its treasure house on Nov. 11, 2015. The Buddhist temple will conduct comprehensive research on the important Japanese cultural heritage, drawn between the late seventh and early eighth centuries, for the first time since they were scorched in a 1949 fire. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Firefighting drills conducted at Horyuji Temple in Nara

IKARUGA, Japan - Monks and firefighters participate in firefighting drills conducted at Horyuji Temple in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 26 to prevent recurrence of the 1949 fire that destroyed wall paintings at its Kondo main hall. (Kyodo)