These TWO Japanese PROOF Medals show a Temple on one side and a Deer on the other.

One of them is bi-metallic and the other is single-color gold.

The medals are from the NARA Park in Japan.

• 大仏殿 (Daibutsuden) - Refers to the Great Buddha Hall (literally "Hall of the Great Buddha"), located in the Tōdai-ji Temple.

These collectible medals highlight Japanese culture and craftsmanship.

With a focus on cultural identity, these medals serve as a symbol of heritage and tradition, making it a sought-after item for collectors interested in Asian cultures and ethnicities.

FROM THE INTERNET:

Nara Park is a large public park in Nara, Japan, famous for its over 1,200 wild sika deer, considered natural treasures, that roam freely and interact with visitors, often bowing for special crackers (shika senbei). 

The park is also home to major historical and cultural sites, including Todai-ji Temple (with the Great Buddha), Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and the Nara National Museum, making it a popular destination for history and nature lovers. Established in 1880, it's one of Japan's oldest parks, offering a blend of natural scenery, ancient monuments, and unique wildlife encounters. 

Key attractions and activities

• Deer interaction: Feed the tame deer with special crackers, but be mindful that some can be pushy; keep children close. 

• Todai-ji Temple: See the world's largest bronze Buddha statue housed in the Great Buddha Hall. 

• Kasuga Taisha Shrine: Explore this historic Shinto shrine known for its many lanterns. 

• Nara National Museum: Discover Japanese Buddhist art and artifacts. 

• Gardens: Visit Isuien Garden for traditional Japanese garden design. 

• Hiking: Hike up Mount Wakakusa for scenic views. 

Tips for visiting

• Best time to visit: Spring (for cherry blossoms) and autumn (for fall foliage) are especially beautiful. 

• Feeding deer: Only use the official "shika senbei" crackers sold in the park. 

• Safety: Keep a close eye on children as deer can be aggressive when seeking food. 

• Getting there: It's easily accessible from Osaka and Kyoto via Kintetsu or JR lines; Kintetsu Nara Station is a short walk from the park entrance. 

What is the significance of the deer in Nara? The Nara Park deer are wild animals inhabited the area for over 1,300 years. They have long been regarded as divine envoys of the kami (Gods) of Kasugataisha Shrine and have, therefore, been carefully protected. Today, they can be seen regularly in the area centered around Nara Park.

Tōdai-ji (Great Eastern Temple) is a massive Buddhist temple complex in Nara, Japan, famous for housing the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana.

Its main hall, the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), was long considered the world's largest wooden building, though it was recently surpassed in 2025. 

• The Daibutsu (Great Buddha): A colossal bronze statue standing approximately 15 meters (49 feet) tall. It was cast in the 8th century, nearly depleting Japan's bronze reserves at the time.

• The Daibutsuden: The current Great Buddha Hall dates to 1709. Despite being only two-thirds the size of the original 8th-century structure, it remains a monumental masterpiece of wooden architecture.

• "The Buddha's Nostril": A popular attraction inside the main hall is a wooden pillar with a hole at its base, said to be the same size as the Daibutsu's nostril. It is a tradition for visitors to try and crawl through for good luck and enlightenment.

• Nandaimon Gate: The massive "Great South Gate" features two 8-meter-tall Ni-ō guardian statues, which are designated National Treasures of Japan.

• Nara Park Deer: The temple is located within Nara Park, where hundreds of free-roaming Sika deer wander the grounds; they are considered messengers of the gods in Shinto tradition. 

Historical Significance

• Founded: Mid-700s (officially opened in 752 CE) by Emperor Shōmu.

• Purpose: It was built as the head of all provincial temples to unite the nation and protect Japan from disasters like smallpox and crop failures.

• UNESCO World Heritage: Registered in 1998 as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara". 

What you see is what you get - I did not use any stock photos for this listing.

 

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The combined shipping policy is relevant ONLY for PINS, WINGS, SAMPLE SLABS, COINS, ELONGATED COINS, TOKENS, MEDALS, and other SMALL ITEMS, is the full shipping price for the auction with the highest shipping cost and then one additional dollar ($1) for the shipping and handling of each additional auction won.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT SHIPPING COSTS FOR LARGER ITEMS - I use eBay's system to calculate the shipping cost via USPS Ground Advantage, according to the weight, dimensions and your location. Many times, for the LARGER items, I can probably ship it for a much lesser cost with UPS or FedEx!  Please send me your zip code, and what you see as the shipping cost, and I will quote a much more accurate shipping cost to you!

 

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I love to recycle, so there's a good chance that I will ship in a previously used envelope or box, and use paper and used grocery bags as packing and padding materials.

 

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Good luck bidding!!!

 

Sandy