Raw data
Asukadera, in the Asuka valley to the south of modern Nara City, was built in the late 6th century, or early 7th century, by the chief of the Soga clan, Soga no Umako, who was descended from Korean immigrants. According to the Nihon shoki (720), there were 46 temples in the Asuka area with 816 monks and 669 nuns. However, Asukadera (known by several other names, especially Gangôji, after it was moved to Nara City) was distinguished in the texts as one of four great temples, closely affiliated with the imperial institution.
Its founding is described in Gangôji engi (Historical Account of the Gangôji, compiled 747). The Tô roban mei states that Korean priests and craftsmen from Paekche (Kudara) were invited to build a monastery and a nunnery on the site. Six and nine Korean priests and envoys are named in the Tô roban mei and Jôroku kômei respectively. These texts downplay the role of the Soga clan, and emphasize the connection between Asukadera and the ruling Empress Suiko. Emperor Kôtoku (r.645-654) assigned ten teachers to spread Buddhism, and five of them were of the Sanron school and lived at Asukadera. One was Ekan (Hyegwan) from the Korean kingdom of Koryo (Koguryo).
The current layout of buildings does not reflect the original, which burned down in a fire of 1196. Archaeological investigations have revealed that the original structure consisted of a pagoda and three Golden (Main) Halls: East, West, and Middle.
-McCallum (2009: 28-30, 80)
Src: JPN
Input by: Lizbeth H. Piel, Jan 22, 2010
Final data (and their sources)
Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy:
The monastery in question is assumed to be situated actually no farther than 200 m from the point defined by the coordinates below.
General location of the Asukadera monastery, JP.
Lat 34.4787 Long 135.8205
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2009.
Google Map link:
Final data - explanatory notes
1. Monastery's name
- Asukadera (飛鳥寺). Alternative English spelling: Asuka-dera
2. Monastery's modern country & province
- Japan: Nara Prefecture
3. Monastery's alternative/historical names
- Gangôji, Hôkôji, Asukadera (明日香寺)
4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates
- Approx. Lat 34.4787 Long 135.8205 - visual identification of the temple in maps, maps.google.com - tmciolek, 24 Jan 2010.
5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries
- Monmu Daikandaiji
- Yamadadera
- Kawaradera
- Kudara-Odera
- Tachibanadera
6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village
- Takaichi-gun (district), Asuka-mura (village).
7. The settlement's alternative/historical names
- Asuka, Fujiwara
8. The settlement's coordinates
- Exactly, Asuka - Lat 34.4667 Long 135.8167 http://www.fallingrain.com/world/JA/00/Asuka.html
9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition
- Mahayana
10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition
- Sanron, Shingon
11. Date-early
- 597: Completion of at least the pagoda, or part of the temple. -McCallum (2009: 34)
12. Date-intermediate
[missing data]
13. Date-late
- 1196: A fire destroyed the original buildings. The monastery was rebuilt, but its fortunes declined thereafter. -Ôwaki (1989: 22)
14. Details of contacts with other monasteries
- The monastery was affiliated with a nunnery, Toyuradera. The Shoka Nihongi (797) and other 8th c. sources list Asukadera as one of four great temples connected with the imperial family in the 7th century. The others are Kudara Ôdera, Kawaradera, and Yakushiji. -McCallum (2009: 2, 35)
15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery
- Archaeological, documents.
16. Additional notes
- The temple was large, about 200 meters on a side. -http://www.asukanet.gr.jp/asukahome/ASUKA2/ASUKATERA/asukanotera.html
17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by
[missing data]
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