Raw data
Minami Shiga haiji (“temple abandoned in Southern Shiga”) is associated with Emperor Tenji (r. 661-672), who attempted to establish a network of state temples, after moving his capital in 667 to Ôtsu City, on the Southeastern shore of Lake Biwa. Some roof tiles found at the site (roughly in Nishikôri) seem to predate the founding of the Ôtsu capital, and resemble those found at Kawaradera. Two impressive end tiles have been found, decorated with a motif of clouds encircling a flower.
Minami Shiga haiji was once located about 500 meters to the north of Tenji’s Ôtsu Palace, suggesting a close relationship with the Emperor. It was also one of four temples strategically placed around the palace. Its ground plan closely matches that of Kawaradera in terms of the layout of the south and middle gate, the roofed corridor, the priests’ quarters, and the three halls. In the words of Herman Ooms, the resemblance suggests “a particularly significant place in the official Ôtsukyô temple system.” However, some scholars see a resemblance to Yakushiji, and argue that two of the “halls” are in fact the foundations of pagodas.
-McCallum (2009: 52, 68-9)
-Ooms (2008: 190-192)
-“Otsu-kyô.” - http://www.rekihaku.otsu.shiga.jp/josetsu/theme_6.html
Src: JPN
Input by: Lizbeth H. Piel, Mar 04, 2010
#10 - Site of Imperial Palace Omi Otsu no Miya (situated W of the Otsukyo train station, SE of the Ojiyajma highway Ramp), map "Historical spots - Lake Biwa, Otsu" http://www.otsu.or.jp/en/history/index.htm
Input by: tmciolek, 16 Mar 2010.
Final data (and their sources)
Last updated: 1 Sep 2013
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 Minami Shiga haiji, JP.
Lat 35.0308 Long 135.8530
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2009.
Google Map link:
Final data - explanatory notes
1. Monastery's name
- Minami Shiga haiji 南滋賀廃寺 [monastery?]
2. Monastery's modern country & province
- Japan: Shiga Prefecture
3. Monastery's alternative/historical names
- [missing data]
4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates
- Approx., Lat 35.0308 Long 135.8530 - location of Minami Shiga haiji, which was some 500m N of Imperial Palace Omi Otsu no Miya (situated W of the Otsukyo train station, SE of the Ojiyajma highway Ramp, approx. Lat 35.02456 Long 135.8530), as indicated on a map "Historical spots - Lake Biwa, Otsu" - http://www.otsu.or.jp/en/history/index.htm, estimated using maps.google.com - tmciolek, 16 Mar 2010.
5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries
- Anô Haiji
- Sûfukuji
- Onjoji (Miidera) monastery
6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village
- Ôtsu-shi (Ôtsu City), Shiga-sato (Shiga hamlet) sanchû
7. The settlement's alternative/historical names
- Ômi Province, Ôtsu-kyô, Shiga-no-miyako. –Nihon chimei jiten (1998: 214)
- Ōtsu - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/JA/35/Otsu.html
- Ōtu - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/JA/35/Otsu.html
- Otu - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/JA/35/Otsu.html
8. The settlement's coordinates
- Approx., Lat 35.0000 Long 135.8667 - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/JA/35/Otsu.html
9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition
- Mahayana
10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition
- [missing data]
11. Date-early
- Middle-to-late 7th century
MBM chrono-tag: 0633-66p 0667-99p - tmciolek 1 Sep 2013
0633-66p 0667-99p 0700-32p dated-e
12. Date-intermediate
- [missing data]
13. Date-late
- [missing data]
14. Details of contacts with other monasteries
- It was part of the Ôtsu-kyô temple system established by Emperor Tenji. Through Tenji there was a relationship to Kawaradera, near Nara.
15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery
- Archaeological
16. Additional notes
- [missing data]
17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by
- [missing data]
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