Kawara-dera, Buddhist temple ruins in Asuka, Japan
Kawara-dera is a Buddhist temple ruin in Asuka featuring preserved foundation stones and a pagoda base that show the original symmetrical design with one pagoda and two golden halls. The excavated site contains remains that document the structure and significance of this important national sanctuary from ancient times.
The temple complex was built during the Asuka period by Emperor Tenji to honor his mother Empress Saimei. It stood as one of four national temples and played a central role in Japan's early Buddhist establishment.
The site holds two wooden guardian statues, Komokuten and Jikokuten, recognized as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. These figures once stood in the temple halls and reflect the spiritual importance this place held for people of that era.
Visitors can explore the ruins on the grounds and participate in traditional Buddhist sutra copying in a dedicated room. The site remains accessible during operating hours, with windows offering views of the archaeological findings from the Asuka period.
This site housed Japan's first scriptorium for producing sacred texts in its history. Visitors today can experience this historical writing practice firsthand, offering direct access to a technique practiced over 1,300 years ago.
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