By KENJI SHIMIZU/ Staff Writer
February 5, 2025 at 17:50 JST
The ruins of what was likely the cafeteria at the Yamashiro Kokubunji temple in Kizugawa, Kyoto Prefecture (Kenji Shimizu)
KYOTO—Researchers may have uncovered the ruins of one of the largest ancient cafeterias for a Buddhist temple in the Nara Period (710-784).
The Kyoto prefectural board of education made the announcement of the ruins' discovery on Feb. 4.
What was originally a food preparation and eating space used by monks is on the site of the then-Yamashiro Kokubunji temple. Its construction and that of other Kokubunji provincial temples around the nation was ordered by Emperor Shomu (701-756).
The Yamashiro Kokubunji temple was originally a reconstruction of the imperial palace, built after the Kuni-kyo capital established by Shomu was moved.
The temple grounds were vast, measuring about 275 meters east to west and about 330 meters north to south. The ruins of other structures, such as a hall and pagoda, have been uncovered in the past.
In the latest study, huge foundation stones of about 70 centimeters and the holes that were created when the stones were removed were found in the northeastern part of the grounds.
Researchers believe those ruins form the basis for reconstructing a large building measuring 38.1 meters east to west and 10.8 meters north to south.
Past studies have uncovered the ruins of a hallway stretching out in the same direction from south of the latest ruin, leading researchers to surmise the two structures were connected.
This layout is why researchers believe the newly found site is likely the remains of the Yamashiro Kokubunji temple's cafeteria—the Todaiji and Saidaiji temples in Nara also had cafeterias and other structures connecting in a similar north-to-south orientation.
Mahito Uehara, a professor emeritus of archaeology at Kyoto University who is knowledgeable about ancient temples, said the latest ruins found were likely of buildings used as a kitchen or warehouse.
He added that this was the first case at a Kokubunji temple anywhere in Japan where it is possible to reconstruct its cafeteria.
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