Kawara-dera

Site of Kawara-dera in Asuka

Kawara-dera (川原寺) was a Buddhist temple established during the Asuka period in Asuka, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Excavations have revealed a large-scale complex which included two kondō, a pagoda, extensive priests' quarters, and roof tiles that are "among the most beautiful ever made in Japan".^[1] The area has been designated an Historic Site and forms part of a grouping of sites submitted in 2007 for future inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological sites of Japan’s Ancient Capitals and Related Properties.^[2][3][4] Related artefacts are displayed at the Asuka Historical Museum.^[5]

See also

• Asuka-Fujiwara
• Yamada-dera
• List of Important Cultural Properties of Japan (Asuka period: structures)
• Japanese Buddhist architecture

References

1. McCallum, Donald F. The Four Great Temples: Buddhist Archaeology, Architecture, and Icons of Seventh-Century Japan. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 156–200. ISBN 978-0-8248-3114-1.
2. "川原寺跡" [Site of Kawara-dera] (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
3. "飛鳥・藤原の宮都とその関連資産群" [Palaces and Related Properties of Asuka-Fujiwara]. Asuka Village. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
4. "Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological sites of Japan’s Ancient Capitals and Related Properties". UNESCO. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
5. "Asuka Historical Museum". Nara Research Institute for Cultural Properties. Retrieved 6 June 2012.

Coordinates: 34°28′20″N 135°49′2″E / 34.47222°N 135.81722°E

External links

• Kawara-dera (Asuka Historical Museum)