法隆寺を英語で説明・紹介するための基本情報と、英会話に役立つ表現をシンプルでわかりやすい英語で紹介します。
英会話ダイアローグ・関連情報・10の質問を通して、法隆寺に関する英語表現を学びます。
英語
英会話ダイアローグを読む前に知っておくと良い前提知識と情報です。
- 法隆寺の基本情報：
- 聖徳太子によって607年に建てられた世界最古の木造建築
- 多くの国宝や重要文化財を所蔵、ユネスコ世界文化遺産に登録
- 建築的特徴：
- 金堂：本尊を安置する主要な建物
- 五重塔：日本最古の五重塔
- 夢殿：八角形の特徴的な建物、救世観音像が祀られている
- 聖徳太子の役割：
- 聖徳太子は法隆寺の建立者、日本に仏教を広めた人物
- 法隆寺は、彼の父である用明天皇の病気回復を祈願するために建てられた
2人が法隆寺について話しています。
世界最古の木造建築の法隆寺の歴史、建築、見どころ、聖徳太子や五重塔、夢殿とその秘仏である救世観音像などを話題にしています。
会話 / dialogue
Hey Key, I’ve been reading about Horyu-ji lately. It sounds fascinating! Have you ever been there?
Yeah, I visited a couple of years ago. Horyu-ji is amazing! It’s one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world. What got you interested in it?
I’ve always been into Japanese history, and Horyu-ji stands out. The fact that parts of it have been standing since the late 7th century blows my mind. And it was rebuilt after a fire in 670, right?
That’s right. The fire destroyed the original temple, but what you see now is the reconstructed version. It’s still incredibly old, though. The Five-Story Pagoda is one of the highlights—such a beautiful example of ancient architecture.
I’ve seen pictures of that pagoda. It looks so elegant. And isn’t there a main hall called the Kondo?
Exactly! The Kondo, or Main Hall, is where they keep important Buddhist statues. One of the most famous statues there is the Shaka Triad. It’s a great example of Buddhist art from the Asuka period.
I read about that too! I heard the temple has a lot of treasures. But what’s this about Yumedono and some secret statue?
Oh, Yumedono is really interesting. It’s an octagonal building in the Eastern Precinct. Inside, there’s a secret statue called the Kuse Kannon, which was hidden for centuries. In 1884, two scholars—Okakura Tenshin and Ernest Fenollosa—uncovered it. That discovery helped bring attention to Japan’s Buddhist art.
Wow, so it was hidden for that long? That must have been a huge moment in art history. I’d love to see that statue. Is it still on display?
Yes, it’s displayed at certain times of the year. It’s considered very special because of its connection to Prince Shotoku, who built Horyu-ji. He’s a central figure in Japan’s Buddhist history.
Prince Shotoku is so interesting. Didn’t he build the temple to honor his father and to help spread Buddhism in Japan?
Exactly. Horyu-ji was originally built to pray for his father’s recovery. Shotoku played a key role in promoting Buddhism during the Asuka period. That’s why Horyu-ji is such an important religious site.
That makes sense. I also heard that the temple is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s recognized internationally, right?
Yes, it was designated in 1993. Its architectural and cultural value is recognized worldwide. People from all over come to see it, and it’s one of Japan’s greatest treasures.
I can see why. What about the atmosphere there? Is it really peaceful?
Absolutely. Walking through the cloisters around the Kondo and pagoda, you feel a sense of calm. The temple grounds are so well-preserved, and the whole place has this serene energy, especially when the seasons change.
Sounds perfect. I’m thinking of visiting soon. I’d love to explore the history and architecture in person. Any tips?
Definitely! Go early in the morning to avoid crowds. Take your time around the Five-Story Pagoda and Yumedono. And don’t forget to check out the Treasure Hall—it has a lot of important artifacts.
I’ll keep that in mind. I’m really excited to see it all for myself. Thanks for the advice, Key!
Anytime! You’ll love it. Horyu-ji is a place where history truly comes alive.
関連情報 / related information
「法隆寺」について、理解を深めるための「英語での関連情報」です。
法隆寺
Introduction to Horyu-ji
Horyu-ji is a famous Buddhist temple in Nara Prefecture, Japan. It was originally built in 607 by Prince Shotoku to honor his father, Emperor Yomei. The temple is known for being one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world, making it a significant site in Japanese history and culture.
Reconstruction After Fire
In 670, a fire destroyed most of the original temple. However, Horyu-ji was rebuilt soon after, and what you see today is the reconstructed version from the late 7th century. Despite the fire, it still stands as one of the oldest surviving wooden structures, showing the impressive craftsmanship of ancient Japan.
Famous Buildings
Horyu-ji has several important buildings. The Five-Story Pagoda is one of the highlights and is a beautiful example of ancient architecture. The Kondo (Main Hall) contains important Buddhist statues, including the famous Shaka Triad. Another key building is Yumedono (Hall of Dreams), which houses a secret statue called the Kuse Kannon.
Cultural Importance
Horyu-ji is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its cultural and architectural value. The temple played an important role in spreading Buddhism in Japan, and it remains a place where history and religion come together, attracting visitors from all over the world.
10の質問 / 10 questions
「法隆寺」について、理解を深めるための「英語での10の質問」です。
1: What is Horyu-ji?
Horyu-ji is a famous Buddhist temple located in Nara Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world, originally built in 607 by Prince Shotoku.
2: Why is Horyu-ji important?
Horyu-ji is important because it played a key role in spreading Buddhism in Japan and is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its cultural and architectural significance.
3: What happened to Horyu-ji in 670?
In 670, a fire destroyed most of the original temple, but it was later rebuilt, and the reconstructed version still stands today.
4: What are some famous buildings at Horyu-ji?
Some famous buildings at Horyu-ji include the Five-Story Pagoda, the Kondo (Main Hall), and Yumedono (Hall of Dreams), each showcasing ancient Japanese architecture.
5: What is special about the Five-Story Pagoda?
The Five-Story Pagoda is one of the oldest wooden pagodas in the world and is a beautiful example of ancient Japanese craftsmanship.
6: What is kept in the Kondo (Main Hall)?
The Kondo houses important Buddhist statues, including the famous Shaka Triad, which is a great example of Asuka period Buddhist art.
7: What is Yumedono (Hall of Dreams)?
Yumedono is an octagonal building in the Eastern Precinct of Horyu-ji, known for housing the secret statue of Kuse Kannon, which was hidden for centuries.
8: Who discovered the Kuse Kannon statue?
The Kuse Kannon statue was discovered in 1884 by two scholars, Okakura Tenshin and Ernest Fenollosa, who helped bring attention to Japan’s Buddhist art.
9: Why is Prince Shotoku significant to Horyu-ji?
Prince Shotoku is significant because he founded Horyu-ji and played a key role in promoting Buddhism in Japan during the Asuka period.
10: When was Horyu-ji recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Horyu-ji was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993 due to its outstanding cultural and architectural value.
和訳付
会話 / dialogue
Hey Key, I’ve been reading about Horyu-ji lately. It sounds fascinating! Have you ever been there?
ねえキー、最近法隆寺について読んでるんだけど、すごく面白そうなんだ！行ったことある？
Yeah, I visited a couple of years ago. Horyu-ji is amazing! It’s one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world. What got you interested in it?
うん、数年前に行ったことあるよ。法隆寺は本当に素晴らしいよ！世界で最も古い木造建築の一つなんだ。なんで興味を持ったの？
I’ve always been into Japanese history, and Horyu-ji stands out. The fact that parts of it have been standing since the late 7th century blows my mind. And it was rebuilt after a fire in 670, right?
ずっと日本の歴史に興味があったんだ。法隆寺は特に目立つよね。7世紀後半から一部が残ってるって、本当に驚きだよ。それに670年に火事で再建されたんだよね？
That’s right. The fire destroyed the original temple, but what you see now is the reconstructed version. It’s still incredibly old, though. The Five-Story Pagoda is one of the highlights—such a beautiful example of ancient architecture.
そうだよ。火事で元の寺は焼けちゃったけど、今見られるのは再建されたものだよ。それでもすごく古いけどね。五重塔は見どころの一つで、古代建築の美しい例だよ。
I’ve seen pictures of that pagoda. It looks so elegant. And isn’t there a main hall called the Kondo?
その塔の写真を見たことあるよ。本当に優雅だね。それで、金堂っていう本堂があるんだよね？
Exactly! The Kondo, or Main Hall, is where they keep important Buddhist statues. One of the most famous statues there is the Shaka Triad. It’s a great example of Buddhist art from the Asuka period.
その通り！金堂は仏像が安置されている本堂だよ。そこには有名な釈迦三尊像があって、飛鳥時代の仏教美術の代表的な例なんだ。
I read about that too! I heard the temple has a lot of treasures. But what’s this about Yumedono and some secret statue?
それも読んだことあるよ！法隆寺にはたくさんの宝物があるって聞いたけど、夢殿と秘密の像って何のこと？
Oh, Yumedono is really interesting. It’s an octagonal building in the Eastern Precinct. Inside, there’s a secret statue called the Kuse Kannon, which was hidden for centuries. In 1884, two scholars—Okakura Tenshin and Ernest Fenollosa—uncovered it. That discovery helped bring attention to Japan’s Buddhist art.
夢殿は本当に面白いよ。東院にある八角形の建物なんだ。その中には救世観音という秘密の像があって、何世紀も隠されてたんだ。1884年に岡倉天心とアーネスト・フェノロサという2人の学者がその像を発見したんだ。その発見が、日本の仏教美術に注目を集めるきっかけになったんだよ。
Wow, so it was hidden for that long? That must have been a huge moment in art history. I’d love to see that statue. Is it still on display?
わあ、それだけ長い間隠されてたんだ？それは美術史における大きな瞬間だったんだろうね。その像を見てみたいな。まだ展示されてるの？
Yes, it’s displayed at certain times of the year. It’s considered very special because of its connection to Prince Shotoku, who built Horyu-ji. He’s a central figure in Japan’s Buddhist history.
うん、年に何度か展示されるよ。法隆寺を建てた聖徳太子に関係してるから、とても特別なものとされてるんだ。聖徳太子は日本の仏教史で中心的な人物なんだよ。
Prince Shotoku is so interesting. Didn’t he build the temple to honor his father and to help spread Buddhism in Japan?
聖徳太子って本当に興味深いね。彼はお父さんを敬うために、そして仏教を広めるためにこの寺を建てたんだよね？
Exactly. Horyu-ji was originally built to pray for his father’s recovery. Shotoku played a key role in promoting Buddhism during the Asuka period. That’s why Horyu-ji is such an important religious site.
その通りだよ。法隆寺はもともと、お父さんの病気の回復を祈るために建てられたんだ。聖徳太子は飛鳥時代に仏教を広めるのに重要な役割を果たしたんだ。それが法隆寺がそんなに重要な宗教的な場所である理由なんだよ。
That makes sense. I also heard that the temple is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s recognized internationally, right?
なるほどね。それに、この寺がユネスコの世界遺産に登録されているって聞いたんだけど、国際的にも認められてるんだよね？
Yes, it was designated in 1993. Its architectural and cultural value is recognized worldwide. People from all over come to see it, and it’s one of Japan’s greatest treasures.
うん、1993年に登録されたんだ。建築的にも文化的にもその価値が世界的に認められてるよ。世界中の人々が見に来て、日本の大切な宝物の一つだね。
I can see why. What about the atmosphere there? Is it really peaceful?
それも納得だね。ところで、雰囲気はどう？本当に静かで落ち着いてるの？
Absolutely. Walking through the cloisters around the Kondo and pagoda, you feel a sense of calm. The temple grounds are so well-preserved, and the whole place has this serene energy, especially when the seasons change.
もちろんだよ。金堂や五重塔の周りの回廊を歩いてると、本当に穏やかな気持ちになるんだ。寺の敷地はすごくよく保存されてて、季節が変わると特に静けさが漂うんだ。
Sounds perfect. I’m thinking of visiting soon. I’d love to explore the history and architecture in person. Any tips?
完璧だね。近いうちに行ってみようと思ってるんだ。歴史や建築を実際に体験してみたいんだけど、何かアドバイスある？
Definitely! Go early in the morning to avoid crowds. Take your time around the Five-Story Pagoda and Yumedono. And don’t forget to check out the Treasure Hall—it has a lot of important artifacts.
もちろん！朝早く行って、混雑を避けるといいよ。五重塔や夢殿の周りでは時間をかけて見て回って。そして宝物館も忘れずに見てね。たくさんの重要な遺物があるから。
I’ll keep that in mind. I’m really excited to see it all for myself. Thanks for the advice, Key!
それを覚えておくよ。実際に全部見るのが本当に楽しみだよ。アドバイスありがとう、キー！
Anytime! You’ll love it. Horyu-ji is a place where history truly comes alive.
いつでもどういたしまして！絶対に気に入るよ。法隆寺は本当に歴史が生き生きと感じられる場所だから。
関連情報 / related information
法隆寺
Introduction to Horyu-ji
Horyu-ji is a famous Buddhist temple in Nara Prefecture, Japan. It was originally built in 607 by Prince Shotoku to honor his father, Emperor Yomei. The temple is known for being one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world, making it a significant site in Japanese history and culture.
法隆寺は、奈良県にある有名な仏教寺院です。607年に聖徳太子によって、父である用明天皇を讃えるために建てられました。この寺院は、世界で最も古い木造建築の一つとして知られており、日本の歴史と文化において重要な場所となっています。
Reconstruction After Fire
In 670, a fire destroyed most of the original temple. However, Horyu-ji was rebuilt soon after, and what you see today is the reconstructed version from the late 7th century. Despite the fire, it still stands as one of the oldest surviving wooden structures, showing the impressive craftsmanship of ancient Japan.
670年に火事で法隆寺の大部分が焼失しました。しかし、その後すぐに再建され、現在見ることができるのは7世紀後半に再建されたものです。火災があったにもかかわらず、法隆寺は現存する最も古い木造建築の一つであり、古代日本の優れた技術力を示しています。
Famous Buildings
Horyu-ji has several important buildings. The Five-Story Pagoda is one of the highlights and is a beautiful example of ancient architecture. The Kondo (Main Hall) contains important Buddhist statues, including the famous Shaka Triad. Another key building is Yumedono (Hall of Dreams), which houses a secret statue called the Kuse Kannon.
法隆寺にはいくつかの重要な建物があります。五重塔はその中でも見どころの一つで、古代建築の美しい例です。金堂（本堂）には、釈迦三尊像をはじめとする重要な仏像が安置されています。もう一つの重要な建物は夢殿で、ここには救世観音という秘密の像が収められています。
Cultural Importance
Horyu-ji is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its cultural and architectural value. The temple played an important role in spreading Buddhism in Japan, and it remains a place where history and religion come together, attracting visitors from all over the world.
法隆寺は、その文化的および建築的価値から、ユネスコの世界遺産にも登録されています。この寺院は、日本に仏教を広める上で重要な役割を果たし、今でも歴史と宗教が交わる場所として、世界中から多くの訪問者を引き寄せています。
10の質問 / 10 questions
1: What is Horyu-ji?
法隆寺とは何ですか？
Horyu-ji is a famous Buddhist temple located in Nara Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world, originally built in 607 by Prince Shotoku.
法隆寺は、奈良県にある有名な仏教寺院です。世界で最も古い木造建築の一つで、607年に聖徳太子によって建てられました。
2: Why is Horyu-ji important?
法隆寺はなぜ重要ですか？
Horyu-ji is important because it played a key role in spreading Buddhism in Japan and is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its cultural and architectural significance.
法隆寺は、日本で仏教を広める上で重要な役割を果たしたため重要です。また、文化的および建築的価値からユネスコの世界遺産に登録されています。
3: What happened to Horyu-ji in 670?
670年に法隆寺に何が起こりましたか？
In 670, a fire destroyed most of the original temple, but it was later rebuilt, and the reconstructed version still stands today.
670年に火災で元の寺の大部分が焼失しましたが、その後再建され、現在でも再建されたものが残っています。
4: What are some famous buildings at Horyu-ji?
法隆寺で有名な建物は何ですか？
Some famous buildings at Horyu-ji include the Five-Story Pagoda, the Kondo (Main Hall), and Yumedono (Hall of Dreams), each showcasing ancient Japanese architecture.
法隆寺の有名な建物には、五重塔、金堂（本堂）、夢殿があり、いずれも古代日本の建築を示しています。
5: What is special about the Five-Story Pagoda?
五重塔の特別な点は何ですか？
The Five-Story Pagoda is one of the oldest wooden pagodas in the world and is a beautiful example of ancient Japanese craftsmanship.
五重塔は世界最古の木造の塔の一つであり、古代日本の職人技を示す美しい例です。
6: What is kept in the Kondo (Main Hall)?
金堂（本堂）には何が安置されていますか？
The Kondo houses important Buddhist statues, including the famous Shaka Triad, which is a great example of Asuka period Buddhist art.
金堂には重要な仏像が安置されており、特に有名な釈迦三尊像があり、飛鳥時代の仏教美術の代表的な例です。
7: What is Yumedono (Hall of Dreams)?
夢殿とは何ですか？
Yumedono is an octagonal building in the Eastern Precinct of Horyu-ji, known for housing the secret statue of Kuse Kannon, which was hidden for centuries.
夢殿は法隆寺の東院にある八角形の建物で、何世紀もの間隠されていた救世観音の秘仏が安置されていることで知られています。
8: Who discovered the Kuse Kannon statue?
救世観音像を発見したのは誰ですか？
The Kuse Kannon statue was discovered in 1884 by two scholars, Okakura Tenshin and Ernest Fenollosa, who helped bring attention to Japan’s Buddhist art.
救世観音像は、1884年に岡倉天心とアーネスト・フェノロサという二人の学者によって発見され、日本の仏教美術に注目を集めました。
9: Why is Prince Shotoku significant to Horyu-ji?
聖徳太子は法隆寺にとってなぜ重要ですか？
Prince Shotoku is significant because he founded Horyu-ji and played a key role in promoting Buddhism in Japan during the Asuka period.
聖徳太子は法隆寺を建立し、飛鳥時代に日本で仏教を広める上で重要な役割を果たしたため重要です。
10: When was Horyu-ji recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site?
法隆寺はいつユネスコの世界遺産に登録されましたか？
Horyu-ji was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993 due to its outstanding cultural and architectural value.
法隆寺は、その卓越した文化的および建築的価値から、1993年にユネスコの世界遺産に登録されました。
words & phrases
英会話ダイアローグと関連情報に出てきた単語・フレーズです（例文は各３つ）。
stand out : 動詞句
意味: 目立つ、際立つ。To be noticeable or easy to see compared to other things.
（法隆寺の中で特に際立つ特徴や建築物を指して使用）
例文：
- The Five-Story Pagoda really stands out among the other buildings at Horyu-ji.
「五重塔は法隆寺の他の建物の中でも特に目立ちます。」 - Her bright red dress made her stand out at the party.
「彼女の明るい赤いドレスは、パーティーでとても目立っていました。」 - His performance stood out from the rest of the group.
「彼のパフォーマンスは他のグループよりも際立っていました。」
blow one’s mind : 動詞句
意味: 驚かせる、感動させる。To strongly impress or surprise someone.
（法隆寺の建築や歴史に感動し驚く様子を表現）
例文：
- The age of Horyu-ji’s buildings blew my mind.
「法隆寺の建物の古さには驚かされました。」 - The view from the top of the mountain blew my mind.
「山頂からの眺めは圧巻でした。」 - The technology in this smartphone will blow your mind.
「このスマートフォンの技術はあなたを驚かせるでしょう。」
triad : 名詞
意味: 三つ組、三者グループ。A group of three, often used in relation to art, music, or religion.
（法隆寺の釈迦三尊像を指し、仏教美術の一例として使用）
例文：
- The Shaka Triad at Horyu-ji is a masterpiece of Asuka period art.
「法隆寺の釈迦三尊像は飛鳥時代の美術の傑作です。」 - The composer created a beautiful musical triad.
「作曲家は美しい音楽の三部作を作り上げました。」 - These three countries formed a powerful political triad.
「これら三カ国は強力な政治的同盟を結びました。」
octagonal : 形容詞
意味: 八角形の。Having eight sides or angles.
（法隆寺の夢殿の形状を説明する際に使用）
例文：
- The Yumedono at Horyu-ji is an octagonal building.
「法隆寺の夢殿は八角形の建物です。」 - The ancient temple has an octagonal tower.
「その古代の寺院には八角形の塔があります。」 - We placed the table in the center of the octagonal room.
「私たちは八角形の部屋の中央にテーブルを置きました。」
cloister : 名詞
意味: 回廊、修道院の中庭。A covered walk, typically in a religious building, with a wall on one side and a colonnade open to a quadrangle on the other.
（法隆寺の回廊を指し、穏やかな雰囲気を表現するために使用）
例文：
- The cloister at Horyu-ji creates a peaceful atmosphere.
「法隆寺の回廊は穏やかな雰囲気を作り出しています。」 - The monks walked through the cloister in silence.
「僧侶たちは静かに回廊を歩いていました。」 - The old church had a beautiful cloister with arches.
「その古い教会には美しいアーチ状の回廊がありました。」
詳細情報 / Further Info
関連記事（聖徳太子）
