The great Kawahara Temple with a full of mysteries

Although Kawaharadera Temple was one of the four major temples of Asuka region, and the first temple for the sutra transcription as the national project took place, we cannot find the detailed information in literature such as the Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki) about when and why the temple was founded.

In addition, while the other three temples, Yakushiji, Daikan-daiji, and Asukadera, moved to the succeeding capitals of Fujiwara, Heijo, and Heian (in chronological order) following the relocations of capitals only Kawaharadera Temple kept staying in Asuka.

Why?

The great Kawahara Temple with a full of mysteries

Although Kawaharadera Temple was one of the four major temples of Asuka region, and the first temple for the sutra transcription as the national project took place, we cannot find the detailed information in literature such as the Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki) about when and why the temple was founded.

In addition, while the other three temples, Yakushiji, Daikan-daiji, and Asukadera, moved to the succeeding capitals of Fujiwara, Heijo, and Heian (in chronological order) following the relocations of capitals only Kawaharadera Temple kept staying in Asuka.

Why?

According to the archaeological excavations between 1957 and 1960, the layout of the temple buildings was a rare style called “one pagoda with two worship halls”. There was also a lecture hall to the north with its three sides surrounded by a monks’ dormitory. The size of the whole temple precincts was estimated to be at least the 150m width from the east to the west, and the 300m length from the north to the south. You can feel how large it used to be by following the recovered foundation stones that line up.

At Kawaharadera temple, that rivaled the Asuka Temple nearby which is famous for the oldest image of Buddha in Japan (The Great Buddha of Asuka) and boasted the extensive temple precincts, they performed various kinds of rituals 1,400 years ago.

According to the Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki);

1. In March 673, the first transcription of the complete Buddhist scriptures took place at Kawaharadera Temple, gathering professional transcribers.

2. In April 686, the temple sent a masked performance group to the Land of Chikushi (present Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu Island) to welcome the envoy of Silla Kingdom.

3. In May 686, they chanted Yakushi or Medicine Sutra to pray for the Emperor’s recovery from the worsening disease.

4. In September 686, the nine Princes and all the high-ranking officials gathered at the Kawaharadera Temple to perform the graceful ritual to pray for the Emperor to recover from a disease.

Thereafter, the Chronicles’ references to Kawaharadera Temple gradually lessened. In addition, the temple experienced numerous fires and finally abandoned. In the late 16th century, it was said to be taken over by Gufukuji Temple.

According to the archaeological excavations between 1957 and 1960, the layout of the temple buildings was a rare style called “one pagoda with two worship halls”. There was also a lecture hall to the north with its three sides surrounded by a monks’ dormitory. The size of the whole temple precincts was estimated to be at least the 150m width from the east to the west, and the 300m length from the north to the south. You can feel how large it used to be by following the recovered foundation stones that line up.

At Kawaharadera temple, that rivaled the Asuka Temple nearby which is famous for the oldest image of Buddha in Japan (The Great Buddha of Asuka) and boasted the extensive temple precincts, they performed various kinds of rituals 1,400 years ago.

According to the Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki);

1. In March 673, the first transcription of the complete Buddhist scriptures took place at Kawaharadera Temple, gathering professional transcribers.

2. In April 686, the temple sent a masked performance group to the Land of Chikushi (present Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu Island) to welcome the envoy of Silla Kingdom.

3. In May 686, they chanted Yakushi or Medicine Sutra to pray for the Emperor’s recovery from the worsening disease.

4. In September 686, the nine Princes and all the high-ranking officials gathered at the Kawaharadera Temple to perform the graceful ritual to pray for the Emperor to recover from a disease.

Thereafter, the Chronicles’ references to Kawaharadera Temple gradually lessened. In addition, the temple experienced numerous fires and finally abandoned. In the late 16th century, it was said to be taken over by Gufukuji Temple.

In 1974, more than a thousand and five hundred clay relief tiles with Buddhist Triad were excavated from the hillside north to Kawaharadera Temple.

According to one theory, the tiles might fill all over the walls of the main worship hall.

Can you imagine that the walls filled with hundreds of thousands of the images of the Buddhas?

Why only Kawaharadera Temple could own such a large number of the Buddhist images?

It looks like the Yamato Imperial Court’s important figures might have a passion to the temple.

Among them, what is noteworthy is the existence of Empress Saimei.

Empress Saimei was Mother of Emperor Tenji and his younger brother Emperor Temmu.

Therefore, the brothers are said to establish the grand temple to commemorate their mother to make the place very special.

Originally, the temple was built at the very site where the Empress’s temporary residence “Kawahara Palace” was located.

In the meantime, the Asuka region was the political center of the early Japan of 1,400 years ago, and was a quite advanced international society having other East Asian countries close by.

In the society, where ancient Chinese and Korean languages might be spoken, in addition to Japanese. In such circumstances, the young princes were aiming to unify the country realizing the tense situation overseas with their all senses.

It is quite easy to imagine that they had lots of agony as well as hidden agendas.

That was the time when Kawaharadera temple was established.

In the middle of that complicated situation, “Isshi No Hen”, a political conflict occurred in 645.

That was a coup d’état, in which a political monster Sogano Iruka was assassinated that triggered Japan to move forward toward a law-abiding state.

Kawaharadera/Gufukuji Temple stands at the place overlooking the historical stage.

The powerful Soga Clan’s headquarter was said to be located on the south hillside of Amakashi Hill which is to the west of the temple, while the coup took place at the Asuka Itabuki Palace on the opposite east side of the temple. The distance between the two place is approximately 1km. Both could be seen close from Kawaharadera Temple. So, it would be easy for you to imagine how urgent the tension had to be 1,400 years ago.

The record on what had really happened there is, frankly speaking, not enough. But isn’t it fun to give your thoughts on the ancient coup d’état, walking around the vast precincts of Kawaharadera Temple? Quite surprisingly, there are the foundation stones of the Asuka period (1400 years ago) made of agate and you can touch them!

We are happy if you could feel the sensation of the Asuka region, thinking about the mysteries surrounding Kawaharadera Temple.

In 1974, more than a thousand and five hundred clay relief tiles with Buddhist Triad were excavated from the hillside north to Kawaharadera Temple.

According to one theory, the tiles might fill all over the walls of the main worship hall.

Can you imagine that the walls filled with hundreds of thousands of the images of the Buddhas?

Why only Kawaharadera Temple could own such a large number of the Buddhist images?

It looks like the Yamato Imperial Court’s important figures might have a passion to the temple.

Among them, what is noteworthy is the existence of Empress Saimei.

Empress Saimei was Mother of Emperor Tenji and his younger brother Emperor Temmu.
Therefore, the brothers are said to establish the grand temple to commemorate their mother to make the place very special.

Originally, the temple was built at the very site where the Empress’s temporary residence “Kawahara Palace” was located.

In the meantime, the Asuka region was the political center of the early Japan of 1,400 years ago, and was a quite advanced international society having other East Asian countries close by.

In the society, where ancient Chinese and Korean languages might be spoken, in addition to Japanese. In such circumstances, the young princes were aiming to unify the country realizing the tense situation overseas with their all senses.
It is quite easy to imagine that they had lots of agony as well as hidden agendas.

That was the time when Kawaharadera temple was established.

In the middle of that complicated situation, “Isshi No Hen”, a political conflict occurred in 645.

That was a coup d’état, in which a political monster Sogano Iruka was assassinated that triggered Japan to move forward toward a law-abiding state.

Kawaharadera/Gufukuji Temple stands at the place overlooking the historical stage.

The powerful Soga Clan’s headquarter was said to be located on the south hillside of Amakashi Hill which is to the west of the temple, while the coup took place at the Asuka Itabuki Palace on the opposite east side of the temple. The distance between the two place is approximately 1km. Both could be seen close from Kawaharadera Temple. So, it would be easy for you to imagine how urgent the tension had to be 1,400 years ago.

The record on what had really happened there is, frankly speaking, not enough. But isn’t it fun to give your thoughts on the ancient coup d’état, walking around the vast precincts of Kawaharadera Temple? Quite surprisingly, there are the foundation stones of the Asuka period (1400 years ago) made of agate and you can touch them!
We are happy if you could feel the sensation of the Asuka region, thinking about the mysteries surrounding Kawaharadera Temple.