Dr Ji Hye Han Dr Ellen Van Goethem (Kyushu University)

About the Talk

A handful of eighth-century buildings still dot the Japanese landscape. They are typically found in Buddhist temples in the Kansai area and have attracted considerable scholarly and non-specialist attention. Notwithstanding the wealth of available sources, however, the workforce behind the construction of these monumental structures has been studied far less. This talk will focus on the lives and activities of the workers and will show that, just like their modern-day counterparts, at least some of the eighth-century artisans and labourers were well known and in high demand. Their knowledge and craftsmanship were essential to the timely completion of construction projects, and some even accumulated considerable wealth.

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