Shima Kokubun-ji, Provincial Buddhist temple in Agochō Kō, Japan
Shima Kokubun-ji is a provincial temple in Agocho Ko designed according to the traditional Shichido garan layout. The buildings follow a standardized arrangement with a main worship hall, lecture space, and entrance gates positioned in specific places.
The temple was built around 741 under Emperor Shōmu as part of a network of provincial temples across Japan. Construction during the Nara period reflected a coordinated national religious program.
The temple was a center for Buddhist teaching and spiritual practice in Shima province. Its presence reflected the emperor's religious authority extending into local communities.
The site is now primarily an archaeological area where excavations have revealed building foundations from ancient times. Visitors should expect to see ruins and foundation remains rather than complete structures.
Archaeological findings show that construction methods followed a standardized pattern used throughout Japan in the 8th century. This uniformity reveals how systematically the national building program was organized.
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