Raw data
Kudara Ôdera was a large temple, originally built somewhere along the Kudara River. Archaeologists now believe that the original foundation has been uncovered at Kibi pond in Sakurai City. It consists of traces of a large-scale main hall, a pagoda, and a covered walkway. The site lies northeast of the ancient Asuka area, and east of Kaguyama, between the Tera River in the north, and the Yone River in the south. The style of the roof tiles and the construction method of the foundation accords with 7th-century techniques.
According to the Nihon shoki (720), Emperor Jomei (r. 629-641) ordered the construction of Kudara Ôdera in 639 after converting to Buddhism. He was apparently influenced by five Japanese priests who returned from three missions to Tang China. It has been suggested that Priest Dôji (?-744), who had visited Tang China, was involved in the design of the Kudara Ôdera. One year later, Jomei relocated into a “Kudara Palace” nearby. The Daianji engi (Historical Account of Daianji, 747) downplays Jomei, and claims that Empress Suiko asked Prince Shôtoku to build the temple. However, Shôtoku died shortly after, leaving it up to Jomei.
The Nihon shoki says that a 9-story pagoda was constructed by 640. It burnt to the ground, according to the Daianji engi. This would have been an unusually large structure by the standards of 7th century Japan. Several 9-story pagodas are known to have existed in Sui and Tang China, as well as in Silla, Korea. In 673, following changes in political patronage, the temple moved to Takechi-gun, and was renamed Takechi Ôdera. It 677, it was renamed Daikandaiji. This exact location has not yet been found. After Daikandaiji burned down in 711, the sacred objects were apparently transferred to Daianji, newly constructed in Heijô.
-McCallum (2009: 83-153)
Src: JPN
Input by: Lizbeth H. Piel, Jan 31, 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 Kudara Odera monastery, JP.
lat=34.6679 long=135.8128
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2009.
Google Map link:
Final data - explanatory notes
1. Monastery's name
- Kudara Ôdera (百済大寺). Alternative English spelling: Kudara Oodera, Kudara Odera
2. Monastery's modern country & province
- Japan: Nara Prefecture.
3. Monastery's alternative/historical names
- Kudaradera; Takechi Ôdera, Daikandaiji, Daianji
4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates
- Approx. Lat 34.6679 Long 135.8128 - site visually identified in maps, maps.google.com - tmciolek, 11 Feb 2010.
5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries
- Yakushiji
- Monmu Daikandaiji
- Asukadera
- Kawaradera
6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village
- Sakurai-shi (Sakurai City), Kibi pond
7. The settlement's alternative/historical names
- Iware, Tôchi-gun
- Sakuri http://www.fallingrain.com/world/JA/28/Sakurai.html
8. The settlement's coordinates
- Exactly, Lat 34.5000 Long 135.8500 http://www.fallingrain.com/world/JA/28/Sakurai.html
9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition
- Mahayana
10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition
[missing data]
11. Date-early
- Pledged in 639; was under construction in 642. - McCallum (2009: 4)
12. Date-intermediate
- Construction continued to the 650’s. It was moved to Takechi-gun in 673, and was renamed Takechi Ôdera. In 677, it was renamed Daikandaiji. - McCallum (2009: 4, 138)
13. Date-late
- Daikandaiji burned down in 711, along with the Fujiwara Palace. Its sacred objects were moved the city of Heijô, and housed in a new structure, Daianji. - McCallum (2009: 143)
14. Details of contacts with other monasteries
- Eighth-century documents list Kudara Ôdera as one of four great temples connected with the imperial family in the 7th century. The others are Asukadera, Kawaradera, and Yakushiji. - McCallum (2009: 2)
15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery
- Archaeological, documents
16. Additional notes
- According to the Nihon shoki (720), in 682 there were over 140 priests at Daikandaiji. In 686, Emperor Tenmu gave the monastery a fief of “700 households and 300,000 bales of rice.” There were also nuns present, since “rules for priests and nuns” were proclaimed at Daianji in 701. According to the Genkô shakusho, 500 people resided in “Daikanji.” - McCallum (2009: 143)
17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by
[missing data]
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