05. KAMIYODO HAIJI RUIN (National Historic Site)

Kamiyodo Haiji is the ruin of the Buddhist temple built during the Asuka period (end of the 7th century AD). 

上淀廃寺跡は、飛鳥時代（7世紀終り頃）に建てられた寺院の跡です。

 

Since 1991, excavations have unearthed a large number of mural fragments. Later, it was discovered that these pieces were one of the oldest Buddhism murals ever found in Japan. As one of the few temple ruins from the Asuka period whose interior can be restored, it was designated as a National Historic Site in 1992.

平成3年（1991年）からの発掘調査で国内最古級彩色仏教壁画片が大量に出土し、飛鳥時代の堂塔内部を復元しうる数少ない寺院跡として、平成8年（1996年）に国の史跡に指定されました。

 

In addition, three towers were built east of the Kondo Building. This configuration was unique among ancient temples since many followed the standardized layout. It was considered as the originality by the builder(s).

また、金堂の東に3塔を南北に配する設計も、堂塔配置が規格的である古代の寺院において他に例が無く、建立者の独立性が窺えるこの寺院の特徴となります。

 

Among temples in the countryside of Japan, this one was on a larger scale, with additional facilities such as a warehouse. The builder is unknown. Besides mural fragments, there were pieces of Buddhist statues, Kawara roof tiles, pottery, and iron tools found here.

建立者はわかっていませんが、堂塔以外にも倉庫など多くの付属施設をもつ、地方では大規模な寺院で、壁画片の他、仏像片、瓦、土器、鉄器などが出土しています。

 

The temple was destroyed by fire in the middle of the 11th century, when the ancient social system collapsed.

古代社会制度の崩壊が進む平安時代中期（11世紀）に焼失しました。

 

<Kamiyodo Haiji Ruin Spider Lily Week>

<上淀廃寺　彼岸花ウィーク>

 

September 20th , 2022 (Tue)–September 26th , 2022  (Tue)

2022年9月20日(火)～9月26日(月)

 

※Using the dedicated tablet and AR technology, you can enjoy a simulated experience of the temple and scenery at the time when the temple still existed. Please contact 8. Kamiyodo Hakuhō-no-Oka Exhibition Hall if you are interested in experiencing it.

※上淀廃寺は、専用タブレット端末を使って AR 技術で寺院等を再現し、当時の風景などの疑似体験を楽しんでいただけます。体験したい方は、8.上淀白鳳の丘展示館にお申し込みください。

 

【年代（ねんだい）】

Asuka/Hakuho Period　飛鳥･白鳳時代（あすか･はくほうじだい）

About 1300 years ago　約1300年前

【Correct Answer】I. 5394  pieces. (5394 点)

 

 ＊More than 5,394 mural fragments have been found around the Kondo Building. 

＊金堂周辺からは5,394点を超える壁画断片を出土。

 

Because of the fire, most of the original colorings had been lost, except red iron oxide, verdigris, and ultramarine blue. However, it was recognizable that one-third of the excavated pieces had been colored.

火事で焼けたため、ベンガラ、緑青や群青などを除き当時の彩色は失われていますが、出土の3分の1は彩色が認められました。

 

Approximately 3,800 statue fragments have been found in the Kondo building, Central Building, and South Building. The original shapes of 769 pieces are still recognizable.

金堂及び中・南塔周辺からは、約3800点もの塑像片が出土し、なかでも造形が確認できるものは769点あります。

 

Many Kawara roof tiles have been found as well. One was specially engraved with the year of “Mizunoto-Hitsujinotoshi”, which means 683 AD in the Sexagenary Cycle. This tile helped reveal that the Kamiyodo Haiji was built around that time.

そして、瓦も多く出土しており、そのなかから「癸未年（みずのとひつじのとし）」と刻まれた瓦片がみつかり、683年に当たると考えられることから、このころ上淀廃寺が造営されたと判明しました。

 

<MAIN ARTIFACTS 主な出土品>

 

＊Shinsho :

Mural fragments that was drawn at the time when the Kamiyodo Haiji was built.

‘Shinsho’ means the soldier of the Yakushi-Nyorai.

神将:

壁画。上淀廃寺創建当初に描かれた。

 

＊Scull and Hair of Nyorai:

Former Buddha statue fragment

※Rahotsu is the part of the Nyorai’s hair. “Ra” means a conch and it is curled crock-wise like the shell.

※Nyorai: Enlighted person, same as Buddha.

如来：頭皮と螺髪(らほつ)

塑像

　※螺髪（らほつ）…如来の髪の毛。「螺」は巻貝を意味し、右巻きである。

　※如来…悟りを開いた人で、「ブッダ」と同じ。

 

＊Statue of Bosatsu  Toes:

Former Buddhism statue fragment.

Excavated from the west side of the Kondo Building. Judging from the direction of the nail, it is the right foot.

※Botsatsu: Those who practice to attain the enlightenment.

菩薩像：足指

塑像。

金堂西側から出土。爪の方向から推察すると右足と思われる。

※菩薩…悟りを開くため修行している人

 

＊Single-valve 12-Leaf Renge-Bunken Round Tile:

This is the round Kawara roof tile with the design of lotus at the center. 

It decorated the roof of the Kondo Building in late 7th century.

瓦「単弁12葉蓮華文軒丸瓦」

上淀廃寺の創建時（7世紀後葉）の金堂の屋根を飾っていた。