Katayama temple ruins

The site consists of the ruins of a temple complex located about 3.5 kilometers southeast of JR Shizuoka Station, which was discovered during highway construction in 1930. The precincts measure approximately 160 meters square. The ruins dates from the late 8th century to the early 10th century (late Nara period to early Heian period). The site was partially excavated in 1948 and again in 1958, during which time the foundations of a Kondō, Kōdō (Lecture Hall) and Rectory were discovered. The Kondō was a 7x4 bay hall, measuring 30.9 meters by 17 meters. The Kōdō was also a 7x4 bay hall, measuring 25,5 meters by 15.8 meters. The rectory had 23 cells, with an estimated length of between 68.2 and width of between 9.1 and 10.9 meters.

From the layout of the ruins and its large size, a theory was advanced that this was the site of the lost kokubun-ji of Suruga Province, although due to the lack of a pagoda, a theory was also advanced that the temple was the private monastery of a great landholder in ancient Udo Country. The discovery of the foundations of a pagoda in 2009 further reinforced the possibility that the ruin is that of a kokubun-ji.

A large refuse pile was discovered approximately 500 meters south of the temple ruins which was found to contain a large number of roof tiles from the abandoned temple. This refuse pile was added to the National Historic Site designation in 1974.

The temple appears to have been destroyed by a fire at some unknown time. The preservation of the site is poor, as it is located underneath an overpass of the Tōmei Expressway and a prefectural road cuts through the ruins.

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  Kondo
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  Lecture Hall
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  rectory

• List of Historic Sites of Japan (Shizuoka)

Media related to Katayama-haiji at Wikimedia Commons

• Shizuoka City site (in Japanese)