Kamiyodo Haiji, Buddhist temple ruins in Yonago, Japan
Kamiyodo Haiji is an archaeological site featuring the foundations of temple buildings, including a main hall and three pagodas arranged in a north-to-south line along a hillside. The remains reveal careful planning of the complex with structural details reflecting early Buddhist architecture.
Excavations between 1991 and 1993 revealed temple structures from the late Asuka period, which were destroyed by fire in the tenth century. This fire effectively ended the site's use and preserved its physical remains for modern archaeologists.
The site contains fragments of early Buddhist wall paintings from the main hall, representing some of the oldest religious artwork in Japan. These pieces reveal how Buddhist communities expressed their faith through visual art during the earliest period of the religion in the region.
Visitors can explore artifacts and reconstructions at the Kamiyodo Hakuhō-no-Oka Exhibition Hall, located near the archaeological site. The exhibition center provides a helpful overview of the discoveries and the site's history.
The temple complex exhibits a rare architectural layout with three pagodas and double foundations showing influences from Baekje construction techniques. These design features suggest that early Japanese architects drew inspiration from Korean building practices.
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