Chikuzen Kokubun-ji, Provincial temple in Dazaifu, Japan
Chikuzen Kokubun-ji is a provincial temple in Dazaifu with foundation stones and archaeological remnants that reveal the original layout of this eighth-century Buddhist complex. The site preserves traces of a large compound that once included a seven-story pagoda and multiple ceremonial buildings.
Emperor Shomu founded this provincial temple in 741 as part of a nationwide campaign to build Buddhist temples following a severe smallpox epidemic. This effort marked an important moment in how the government used religious structures for national unity.
The temple served as a regional religious center where communities gathered for Buddhist practices and ceremonies. Its layout and design showed how foreign architectural ideas were adapted for local worship.
The archaeological site is freely accessible and located within walking distance of other historic locations in Dazaifu. A local bus service from Nishitetsu Dazaifu Station connects to nearby sites, making it easy to explore multiple places in a single day.
Excavations between 1955 and 1959 uncovered wooden tablets inscribed with administrative records and census data. These discoveries provide rare insights into how ancient Japan kept track of its population and governance.
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