Kuiyi Shen, Professor of Art History, Theory, and Criticism at UC San Diego, offers a fascinating look at Japanese art during the Nara period, a golden age of court culture. He explores the Great Buddha at Tōdai-ji in Nara, from its monumental bronze casting to the throne imagery depicting the Western Paradise. Shen highlights the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō) and their symbolic armor, influenced by China's Tang Dynasty. He also examines the Shōsōin Imperial Storehouse, built to protect treasures from China, Korea, and Japan. Combining Chinese architectural elements with Japanese granary design, it stands as a remarkable example of cultural exchange and adaptation that shaped the art and architecture of the era. Recorded on 05/07/2025. (#40870)