Heian Period (794-1185)

Murō-ji Temple

In reaction to the growing wealth & power of organized Buddhism, the priest Kukai, journeyed to China to study Shingon; a more rigorous form of Buddhism, which he introduced to Japan in 806. At the core of Shingon worship are mandalas, diagrams of the spiritual universe, which then began to influence temple design.

Mandala

Taizokai (Womb World)

Heian Period (9th Century)

Detail from Taizokai 

(Womb World)

The oldest color mandala still 

in existence in Japan.