Monograph No. 50
THE NARA PALACE SITE EXCAVATION REPORT XIII（1991）
RESEARCH REPORT OF NARA NATIONAL CULTURAL PROPERTIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE No.50
-INVESTIGATION OF THE DAIRI AREA (THE IMPERIAL DOMICILE) PART II-
ENGLISH SUMMARY
NARA NATIONAL CULTURAL PROPERTIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NABUNKEN) 1991
CONTENTS
Page
Chapter I Introduction 1
1. Progress of current excavations 1
2. Preservation of the excavated areas 6
3. Publication of this report 9
Chapter II Outline of the excavations 11
1. Excavated areas 11
2. Procedure of each excavation 15
A. Excavation no.12 15
B. Supplementary excavation no.12 15
C. Excavation no.36 16
D. Excavation no.73 18
E. Southern part of excavation no.78 19
F. Northern part of excavation no.78 20
G. Excavation no.187 21
3. Excavation log 22
A. Excavation no.12 22
B. Supplementary excavation no.12 22
C. Excavation no.36 23
D. Excavation no.73 25
E. Southern part of excavation no.78 27
F. Northern part of excavation no.78 29
G. Excavation no.187 30
Chapter III Site 32
1. Site formation processes 32
A. Topographical setting before excavations 32
B. Ancient topographical transformations 34
i. Prior to 710 A.D. 34
ii. After 710 A.D. 34
2. Principal archaeological features of the Dairi area 36
A. Phase I 36
B. Phase II 40
C. Phase III 54
D. Phase IV 69
E. Phases V and VI 74
F. Phase VII 82
G. Phase VIII 86
Chapter IV Artifacts 89
1. Roof tiles and bricks 89
A. Round eaves tiles 89
i. Concentric circles design 89
ii. Single-petal lotus pattern 89
iii. Compound-petal lotus pattern 92
B. Concave eaves tiles 104
i. One-way arabesque pattern 104
ii. Symmetrical arabesque pattern 104
C. Round, concave, and stamped tiles 115
i. Round tiles 116
ii. Concave tiles 118
iii. Stamped tiles 122
D. Dogu tiles (constructional roof tiles except round and concave tiles and eaves) and bricks 125
E. Roof tiles after the Heian Period 128
i. Round eaves tiles 128
ii. Concave eaves tiles 128
iii. On the Chosho-ji temple 129
2. Pottery 130
A. From ditches in the Dairi 130
i. From Ditch SD7870 130
ii. From Ditch SD7872 131
iii. From Ditch SD4752 132
iv. From Ditches SD4743 and SD4747 132
v. From Ditch SD4745 132
vi. From Ditch SD4730 132
vii. From Ditch SD4810 133
viii. Inside a rain gutter of the eastern part of Tsuji-kairo (auxiliary corridor with earthen wall in the center) SC156 133
ix. Inside a rain gutter of the southern part of Tsuji-kairo SC156; from a rain gutter of the eastern pavilion-like structure 134
x. From Well SE7900 and Drainage Ditch SD2350 136
B. From pit and well 136
i. From Pit SK7909 136
ii. From Well SE7900 137
C. Associated with structural features 138
i. From structural features of Phase I 138
ii. From structural features of Phase II 140
iii. From structural features of Phase III 140
iv. From structural features of Phase IV 141
v. From structural features of Phase V 142
D. Unusual clay objects, pottery with inscriptions in black ink, and haniwa (clay figurines of the Kofun Period) 144
3. Wooden, metal, and stone objects 145
A. Wooden objects 145
B. Iron objects 146
C. Bronze objects 147
D. Coins 148
E. Stone objects 148
Chapter V Written Records 149
1. Review of the previous research into the location of the Dairi of the Nara Palace 149
2. Identification of the Gozaisho areas of individual emperors or empresses during the Nara Period 165
A. Vocabulary indicating the Dairi in written records 165
i. Vocabulary indicating where emperors or empresses lived 165
ii. Building name indicating where emperors or empresses lived 174
iii. Names of the Chugu, Saigu, and Togu palaces where the emperors or empresses lived 184
1) Chugu (central palace) of the Chugu-in 184
2) Saigu (western palace) 194
3) Togu, To-in and Todai (eastern palace) 200
B. Identification of the Gozaisho locations of individual emperors or empresses (emperor's or empress's name; in relation to particular events) 211
i. Empress Gemmyo, construction of the Nara Palace and its Dairi 211
ii. Empress Gensho 214
iii. Emperor Shomu; before construction of the Kuni Palace 216
iv. Emperor Shomu; move to the Kuni, Shigaraki and Naniwa Palaces 220
v. Emperor Shomu; after returning to the Nara Palace 224
vi. Empress Koken (early reign) 227
vii. Empress Koken (middle reign) 231
viii. Empress Koken (later reign); large-scale reconstruction in Tempyo-Hoji 1 (757) 233
ix. Emperor junnin; his journey to Owarida Palace, construction of Hora Palace and large-scale reconstruction during the Tempyo-Hoji Era 234
x. Emperor Junnin (later reign); Chugu-in 237
xi. Empress Shotoku; Saigu 238
xii. Empress Konin 238
xiii. Emperor Kammu 242
Chapter VI Interpretation 251
1. Roof tiles 251
A. Reconsideration of the relative chronology of eaves tiles from the Nara Palace and Capital sites 251
i. Changing styles of round eaves tiles 251
1) Development of the eaves design and outer rim style 251
2) Development of the pattern of woven mesh imprints 267
3) Development of a cylindrical mold tile manufacturing technique (seikeidai ippon-zukuri) 270
4) Development of surface finishing technique 276
ii. Changing styles of concave eaves tile 282
1) Development of eaves design and interier precincts style 282
2) Morphologies of jaws and their development 298
3) Manufacturing technique 304
4) Summary 315
iii. Discussion and conclusion 329
B. Roof tiles in the Dairi 342
i. Combination of round and concave eaves tiles 342
ii. Relationship between eaves tiles types and architectural features 347
iii. Dating of round, concave, and dogu tiles 348
iv. Distribution of roof tiles in the Dairi and reconstruction of the roofing method 350
2. Pottery 370
A. Current state of pottery analysis of Nara Period 370
B. Pottery grouping according to the locations of production 371
i. Grouping of Haji earthenware 371
ii. Grouping of Sue stoneware 372
iii. Results of grouping and identification of location of production 374
iv. Development of group compositions of Sue ware in the Nara Palace and Capital sites 374
C. Classification of pottery in the Nara Capital site 375
i. Development of style and size of Haji ware 377
ii. Development of manufacturing techniques of Haji ware 378
iii. Development of style and size of Sue ware 379
iv. Development of manufacturing techniques of Sue ware 381
v. Glazed ware 382
vi. Smoked Haji ware 383
3. Features 384
A. Changing layout of buildings in the Dairi 384
i. Reconsideration of the plan of the Dairi main building (Dairi-Seiden) 384
ii. Development of spatial divisions in the Dairi 384
iii. Location of the main buildings of the Dairi and the Gozaisho 386
iv. Location of the northern buildings of the Dairi 389
v. Location of the northeastern buildings of the Dairi 393
vi. Location of the eastern buildings of the Dairi and the southeastern plaza 393
vii. Location of the second Great Audience Hall (Daigokuden-in) 395
viii. Dating of each phase 397
ix. Dairi areas after the Nara Palace ceased to function in 784 398
B. Location and spatial division of the Dairi 401
i. Phase I 401
ii. Phase II 403
iii. Phase III 408
iv. Phase IV 413
v. Phase V 414
vi. Phase VI 418
vii. Drainage system in the Dairi 419
C. Change in spatial arrangement of the Dairi 422
1. Structure of the Dairi in the Heian Palace 422
i. Structure and function of the Dairi in the Heian Palace 422
ii. Reconsideration of features of Phase III-1 of the first (western) Great Audience Hall 425
iii. Structural arrangements of the second Dairi or the Togu (Eastern Palace) in the Nagaoka Palace 429
2. Development of the layout of features in the Dairi area 431
i. Previous studies concerning the development of the layout of features in the Dairi area 431
ii. Development and structure of the layout of the features in the Dairi area: historical approach 433
3. Some issues concerning the change in the location of the Dairi 455
4. Conclusion 454
Supplementary Tables 457
English Table of Contents 491
English Summary 510
FRONTISPIECES
1. Layout of the buildings during Phase II of the emperor's domicile (using CAD software)
2. Layout of the building during Phase III of the emperors' domicile (using CAD software)
SUPPLEMENTARY TABLES
1. Architectural features 458
2. Cross references between figures and plates 463
3. Classification of round eaves tiles 465
4. Classification of concave eaves tiles 468
5. Chronology of eaves tiles of the Nara Palace and Capital sites 471
6. Eaves tiles of Phase II-1 and features of Phase II 473
7. Small eaves tiles of Phase II-1 and features of Phase II 474
8. Eaves tiles of Phase III-1 and features of Phase III 475
9. Eaves tiles of Phase III-2 (types 6282 and 6721) and features of Phase IV 476
10. Eaves tiles of Phase III-2 (types 6282 and 6721) and features of Phase V 477
11. Round eaves tiles and features of Phase II 478
12. Round eaves tiles and features of Phase V 479
13. Concave eaves tiles and features of Phase II 480
14. Concave eaves tiles and features of Phase V 481
15. Small round eaves tiles and features of Phase II 482
16. Small round eaves tiles and features of Phase V 483
17. Small concave eaves tiles and features of Phase II 484
18. Small concave eaves tiles and features of Phase V 485
19. Ridge-tile (wari-noshi-gawara) and features of Phase II 486
20. Ridge-tile and features of Phase V 487
TABLES
Page
1. Datum points of the excavations 12
2. Function of the Chugu (the office of the Empress's Household) inferred from written records 185
3. Function of the Daigokuden (the Great Audience Hall) inferred from written records 187
4. Chronology of eaves tiles from the Nara Palace site 251
5. Development of the design of eaves tiles and their outer rims 252
6. Development of the cylindrical mold tile manufacturing technique 257
7. Classification of surface finishing techniques of inside eaves tiles 277
8. Development of surface finishing techniques of inside eaves tiles 278
9. Classification of the symmetrical arabesque pattern I 284
10. Paddling techniques in manufacturing concave tiles 309
11. Differential distribution of eaves tile types in the Nara Palace site 343
12. Chronological classification of eaves tiles from the Dairi 346
13. Differential distribution of eaves tiles according to the grid system within the Dairi 351
14. List of round, concave, and dogu tiles 357
15. Classification scheme of pottery from the Nara Palace site 375
16. Chronology of the variations in Haji ware 377
17. Chronology of the variations in Sue ware 380
18. Dimensions of the principal enclosed areas in the palace 402
19. Dimensions of features of Phase I of the Dairi 403
20. Dimensions of features of Phase II of the Dairi 404
21. Dimensions of features of Phase III of the Dairi 412
22. Dimensions of features of Phase V of the Dairi 415
23. Dimensions of features of Phase VI of the Dairi 418
24. Comparison of the function of the principal Dairi structures between the Nara Palace, Phase II or the Nagaoka Palace and the first (western) Great Audience Hall of the Nara Palace Phase II-1 445
FIGURES
Page
1. Map of preserved areas in the Nara Palace 7
2. Map of the excavated areas and grid system 13
3. Grid system of excavation no.12 and principal features 15
4. Grid system of excavation no.36 and principal features 16
5. Grid system of excavation no.73 and principal features 18
6. Grid system of the southern part of excavation no.78 and principal features 19
7. Grid system of the northern part of excavation no.78 and principal features 20
8. Grid system of excavation no.187 and principal features 21
9. Topography before excavations (scale 1:1500) 33
10. Topography before the construction of the Nara Palace (scale 1:3000) 34
11. Topographical map for Phase II (scale 1:3000) 34
12. Topographical map for Phase III (scale 1:3000) 35
13. Plans and sections of Well SE7900 48
14. Cross-section (north-south) of SE7900 (scale 1:60) 49
15. Cross-section (east-west) of SE7900 (scale 1:60) 49
16. Plans and sections of Watar Tanks SX 4750·4751·4752 (scale 1:100) 51
17. Cross-section of the northern part of Ditch SD7870 (scale 1:60) 52
18. Cross-section of the eastern part of Ditch SD7870 (scale 1:60) 53
19. Cross-section of Ditch SD7863 (scale 1:60) 58
20. Plans and sections of Well SE7900 and Ditch SD2350 (scale 1:100) 59
21. Plans and sections of the western ditch of Street SC156 and Culvert SX4260 (scale 1:100) 61
22. Plan and section of Culvert SX7866 (scale 1:100) 62
23. Plans and sections of Ditches SD8056 and SD8057 (scale 1:60) 63
24. Plans and sections of Culverts SX8056 and SX8057 (scale 1:100) 65
25. Plans and sections of the northern ditch of Street SC640 and the western ditch of Street SC247 (scale 1:100) 66
26. Cross-section of Ditch SD4810 (scale 1:60) 68
27. Cross-section of Ditch SD4810 (scale 1:60) 68
28. Plan and section of Ditch SD7925 (scale 1:60) 69
29. Cross-section of Ditch SD4747 (scale 1:60) 72
30. Plan of Ditch SX7867 (scale 1:60) 80
31. Rubbings of round eaves tiles (1) 91
32. Rubbings of round eaves tiles (2) 95
33. Rubbings of round eaves tiles (3) 99
34. Rubbings of round eaves tiles (4) 101
35. Rubbings of concave eaves tiles (1) 107
36. Rubbings of concave eaves tiles (2) 111
37. Rubbings of concave eaves tiles (3) 113
38. Rubbings of the tiles with stamped marks (scale 4:5) 123
39. Rubbings of medieval and early modern eaves tiles (scale 1:4) 128
40. Pottery from rain gutters in the Dairi 135
41. Pottery from the upper layer of the fill of Well SE7900 (scale 1:4) 138
42. Pottery from buildings (1, scale 1:4) 139
43. Pottery from buildings (2, scale 1:4) 141
44. Pottery from buildings (3, scale 1:4) 142
45. Plank from the base of magemono (bent-wood box) with black ink inscriptions (scale 1:1) 146
46. Rubbings of coins from Well SE7900 148
47. Classification of lotus patterns of round eaves tiles 253
48. Classification of outer rims of round eaves tiles 253
49. Round eaves tiles with a compound-petal lotus pattern, style A (1) 254
50. Round eaves tiles with a compound-petal lotus pattern, style A (2) 255
51. Round eaves tiles with a compound-petal lotus pattern, style A (3) 256
52. Round eaves tiles with a compound-petal lotus pattern, style A (4) 257
53. Round eaves tiles with a compound-petal lotus pattern, style B (1) 257
54. Round eaves tiles with a compound-petal lotus pattern, style B (2) 258
55. Round eaves tiles with a compound-petal lotus pattern, style B (3) 259
56. Round eaves tiles with a compound-petal lotus pattern, style C (1) 260
57. Round eaves tiles with a compound-petal lotus pattern, style C (2) 261
58. Round eaves tiles with a single-petal lotus pattern, style A (1) 262
59. Round eaves tiles with a single-petal lotus pattern, style A (2) 263
60. Round eaves tiles with a single-petal lotus pattern, style B 264
61. Round eaves tiles with a single-petal lotus pattern, style C 265
62. Round eaves tiles with concentric circles design 266
63. Round eaves tiles with the hiunmon (flying cloud pattern) 266
64. Kinegata ippon-zukuri technique for manufacturing round eaves tiles 271
65. Composite molds for round eaves tile 271
66. Classification of the symmetrical arabesque patterns (scale 1:6) 283
67. Symmetrical arabesque pattern I with the kato-gata tarekazari (petal pendant decoration) (scale 1:6) 285
68. Symmetrical arabesque pattern I with ＋, 
, and T-shaped decorations (scale 1:6) 286
69. Symmetrical arabesque pattern I with the henkei tarekazari (deformed pendant decoration) (scale 1:6) 287
70. Symmetrical arabesque pattern II (scale 1:6) 287
71. Seriation of the symmetrical arabesque pattern III (scale 1:7) 289
72. Development of the symmetrical arabesque pattern lV (scale 1:2) 291
73. Change in the symmetrical arabesque pattern V (scale 1:2) 292
74. Development of the symmetrical arabesque pattern VI (scale 1:2) 293
75. Comparison of the symmetrical arabesque pattern VII (lower row) with the decoration of the Unified Silla arabesque pattern 294
76. Round eaves tile with one-way arabesque pattern 294
77. Round eaves tile with concentric rectangular pattern 295
78. Round eaves tile with flying cloud pattern 295
79. Classification of the outer rim designs (scale 1:3) 296
80. Classification of step-jaw morphologies (scale 1:4) 300
81. Variety of eaves tiles, type 6671 (scale 1:7) 316
82. Variety of eaves tiles, type 6663 (scale 1:6) 321
83. Variety of eaves tiles of the early Heian Period (scale 1:7) 341
84. Ratio of the types eaves tile 344
85. Distribution of eaves tiles within the Dairi area 352
86. Differential distribution of the types of eaves tiles 353
87. Layout of buildings of the Dairi, Phase I 385
88. Layout of buildings of the Dairi, Phase II 388
89. Layout of buildings of the Dairi, Phase III 390
90. Layout of buildings of the Dairi, Phase IV 392
91. Layout of buildings of the Dairi, Phase V 394
92. Layout of buildings of the Dairi, Phase VI 396
93. Layout of buildings of the Dairi, Phase VII-1 398
94. Layout of buildings of the Dairi, Phase VII-2 399
95. Layout of buildings of the Dairi, Phase VIII 400
96. Location of the Dairi within Nara Palace 402
97. Planning of the Dairi Phase I (<> indicates the taishaku [Tang's larger scale]) 403
98. Numerical planning of the Dairi Phase II (<> indicates Tang's larger scale and a black dot indicates the position of a post) 404
99. Position of Fences SA7593 and SA11370 406
100. Square grid pattern, and the distribution of features of the dairi Phase II 406
101. Plan of features on the western edge of a rain gutter along Corridor SC060 409
102. Plan and section of Corridor SC156 (excavation no.73) 410
103. Plan of Corridor SC640 411
104. Layout of the Dairi Phase III (() indicates Tang's smaller scale; a black dot indicates post) 412
105. Layout of the Dairi Phase IV 414
106. Layout of the Dairi Phase V-1 415
1o7. Layout of Fence SA4761; first and second plans 416
108. Layout of the Dairi Phase VI (() indicates Tang's smaller scale) 418
109. Change of the drainage system of the Dairi (figures indicate percentages) 420
110. Drawing of the Heian Palace Dairi ("Dairi-Zu" after Kojitsu Sosho, Revised Edition) 423
111. Layout of buildings in the first (western) Great Audience Hall during Phase III-1 426
112. Layout of buildings in the Dairi of the Nagaoka Palace (later phase) 430
113. Physical setting of the Dairi of the Nara Palace, Phase I 434
114. Physical setting of the Dairi of the Nara Palace, Phase II 436
115. Physical setting of the Dairi of the Nara Palace, Phase III 439
116. Physical setting of the Dairi of the Nara Palace, Phase IV 440
117. Physical setting of the Dairi of the Nara Palace, Phase V 442
118. Physical setting of the Dairi of the Nara Palace, Phase VI 444
PLANS
1. Topography of the Nara Palace
2. Distribution of the principal features in the emperors' domiciles
3. Mapping and grid system of the emperors' domiciles
4. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
5. Excavation no.12, 6AAQ-D, F
6. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
7. Excavations no.12, 6AAQ-B, D and no.73, 6AAQ-B
8. Excavation no.12, 6AAQ-B, D
9. Excavation no.9, 6AAQ-C
10. Excavations no.3, 6AAQ-A and no.73, 6AAQ-A
11. Excavation no.6, 6AAQ-C
12. Excavation no.9, 6AAQ-C
13. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
14. Excavations no.36, 6AAP-N and no.78, south 6AAP-L
15. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-N, P
16. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-N, P
17. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
18. Excavations no.36, 6AAP-N and no.78, south 6AAP-K
19. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-N, O, P
20. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
21. Excavations no.36, 6AAP-M, O and no, 187, 6AAO-S
22. Excavation no, 36, 6AAP-M, O
23. Excavations no.78, north 6AAP-L, and no.187, 6AAO-S
24. Excavations no.36, 6AAP-M and no.78, north 6AAP-L
25. Excavations no.36, 6AAP-M, O and no.78, north 6AAP-L
PLATES
1. Excavation no.12, 6AAQ-B, D
1. Aerial view, from northwest
2. Excavation no.12, 6AAQ-B, D
1. Aerial view, from south
2. Corridor SC247; Fence SA248; Building SB650, from south
3. Building SB650, from south
3. Excavation no.12, 6AAQ-B, D
1. Building SB650, from north
2. Building SB447, from northeast
3. Fence SA248 and Corridor SC247, from north
4. Excavation no.12, 6AAQ-B, D
1. Ditch on north side of Corridor SC640, from east
2. Ditch on north side of Corridor SC640, from east
3. Fence SA655, from east
5. Supplementary excavation no.12, 6AAQ-B, D, F
1. Aerial view, from east
2. Aerial view, from west
6. Supplementary excavation no.12, 6AAQ-B
1. Eastern end of Corridor SC640, from south
2. Middle of Corridor SC640, from south
3. Corridor SC640 and Building SB3700, from south
7. Supplementary excavation no.12, 6AAQ-D
1. Western end of Corridor SC640, from south
2. Foundation stones of Corridor SC640, from east
8. Supplementary excavation no.12, 6AAQ-B, D
1. Stones below the foundation of Building SB3700
2. Traces of the removal of the foundation stones of Corridor SC640, from north
3. Stones below foundation stones of Corridor SC640, from north
9. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-M, N, O, P
1. Overview of the center line of the Dairi, from south
10. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-M, N, O, P
1. Center, from south
2. Western part, from north
11. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-N, P
1. Buildings SB4700, SB4703, SB4704, SB4705 and SB4710, from south
2. Buildings SB4640, SB4650, SB4651, SB4700 and SB4703, from west
3. Western gable of Building SB4700, from north
12. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-N, P
1. Buildings SB4710, SB4712, from west
2. Buildings SB4715, SB4710; Fence SA4771; Ditches SD4731, SD4733, SD4734 and SD4738, from west
13. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-N, P
1. Building SB4714; Ditches SD4743, SD4744, from south
2. Buildings SB260, SB4630, from west
3. Buildings SB4680, SB4660, and SB4690, from north
14. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-N, P
1. Buildings SB4660, SB4680, and SB4698; Fence SA 4760, from west
2. Building SB4670; Fence SA4630, from west
3. Buildings SB260, SB4670, and SB4704; Fence SA4630; Ditch SD4620, from north
15. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-M, O
1. Buildings SB4780, SB4783, SB4770, and SB4775, form south
2. Fence SA4780; Buildings SB063, SB064, and SB4825, from south
3. Buildings SB062, SB063, SB064, and SB4825, from south
4. Buildings SB4794, SB4831; Ditch SD4740, SD4742; Water Tanks SX4750, SX4751, SX4752, from west
16. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-M, O
1. Fences SA4760, SA4725, from east
2. Buildings SB 4830, SB4835; Ditches SD4754, SD4755, and SD756, form west
3. Fence SA4761; Building SB4800, from west
17. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-M, N, P
1. Fences SA4781, SA782; Buildings SB4784, SB4740, from south
2. Fences SA4761; Buildings SB4763, SB4740A･B; Ditch SD4810, from west
3. Fences SA4792; Ditches SD4745, SD4747, SD4748; Building SB4746, form west
18. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-O, P
1. Fences SA4690, SA4760, SA 4762; Water Tanks SX4750, SX4751, and SX4752, from north
2. Fences SA4690, SA4692, SA4760 and SA4762; Ditches SD4735, SD4736, from west
3. Ditches SD4739, SD4740, and SD 4749: Water Tanks SX 4751， SX4752, from southwest
19. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-O
1. Ditches SD4740, SD4741, from west
2. Ditch SD4740, from northeast
20. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-O, P
1. Ditches SD4740, SD4741, from north
2. Ditch SD4740, from northeast
21. Excavation no.36, 6AAP-O
1. Water Tank SX4750, from northwest
2. Water Tanks SX4750, SX4751.SX4752, form north
22. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-A, B
1. Features in eastern part, from south
2. Features in southern part, from west
3. Features in northern part, from west
23. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-A, B, C
1. Features in eastern part, from north
2. Features in central part, from north
24. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
1. Features in northern part, from west
2. East Gates SB7590 and SB7604 for south corridor
25. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
1. Building SB7600, from west
2. Eastern part of Building SB7600, from west
26. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
1. Buildings SB7601, SB7600; their northern rain gutters SX7602, SX7603
27. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
1. Building SB7600, from west
2. Tuff pavement of the foundation for Building SB7600, from east
28. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
1. Northeastern corner of Building SB7600, from north
2. Northeastern corner of Building SB7600, from east
29. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
1. Northwestern corner of Buildings SB7600 and SB7601, from north
2. Traces of removal of foundation stones in the northern corner of Building SB7600; traces of wooden stairs SX7603, from east
30. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
1. Building SB7600; Covered Conduit SX4260, from east
2. Northern rain gutter of Building SB7600, from east
3. Western ditch of Corridor SC156 and Fence SA7695, from north
4. Southern corner of Corridor SC156 and the ditch on its western side, from north
31. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
1. Northern rain gutter of Building SB7600, from west
2. Covered Conduit SX4260
32. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
1. Tuff covered side-ditch of the southeastern tsuji-kairo corridor and traces of the removal of foundation stones from the corridor, from south
2. Southeastern corner of Corridor SC640, from east
33. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-A, B
1. Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC156, from south
34. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-A, B
1. South Gate SB7591 of the eastern tsuji-kairo corridor, from west
2. Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC156, from north
35. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-A, B
1. East Gate SB7590 of the southern tsuji-kairo corridor, from west
2. Fence SA 7594 and Building SB7590, from west
36. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
1. Building SB7608, from west
2. Fence SA7594 and Building SB7605, from north
3. Building SB7606, from east
37. Excavation no.73, 6AAQ-B
1. Building SB7601 and Fence SA655, from west
2. Fence SA655 (lower layer), from east
38. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Aerial view, from west
2. Northern part of the excavation area, from west
3. Southern part of the excavation area, from west
39. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Western part of the excavation area, from south
2. Western part of the excavation area, from north
3. Central part of the excavation area, from north
40. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Eastern part of the excavation area, from north
2. Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC156, from north
41. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Fence SA6905, from east
2. Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC 156 and Ditch SD7871, from north
3. Stones below the northern foundation stones of Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC156, from south
4. Northern foundation stones of Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC156, from south
42. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Covered conduit of Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC156, from east
2. Covered Conduit of Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC156, from West
3. Foundation stones of Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC156, from west
4. Foundation stones of Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC156, from east
43. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Building SB7873, from south
2. Building SB7874, from west
3. Building SB7875, from west
44. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Building SB4670, from north
2. Building SB260, from north
3. Ditches SD7863, SD7872, and SD7892, from south
4. Buildings SB7892, SB7903, from west
45. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Lined post holes of western columns of Building SB7864
2. Building SB7864, from west
3. Fence SA7876, from south
4. Building SB4615; Fence SA7889, from south
5. Fence SA7887 and lined bricks, from north
46. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Fence SA7876; Buildings SB4769, SB7919; Ditches SD4730, SD4753, from south
2. Building SB7894 and Street SF7890, from south
3. Street SF7890 and Ditches SD7869 A･B, from west
47. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC156; Well SE 7900; Ditch SD2350, from south
2. Well SE 8900, from east
48. Excavation n0.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Well SE 7900, from west
2. Well SE7900, from north
49. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Western part of Well SE 7900, from southeast
2. Eastern part of Well SE7900; foundation stones of Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC156, from south
3. Northern part of Well SE7900, from east
50. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Well SE7900, from north
2. Well SE7900, from south
3. Southwestern corner of Well SE7900, from west
51. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Well SE7900 after excavation, from west
2. Well SE7900; a well curb and construction pit, from northeast
3. Well SE7900; construction pit for a well curb, from south
52. Excavation no.78, south 6AAP-L
1. Well Curb SE7900
2. Bottom of Well SE79oo, from southeast
3. Ditch SX7867, from east
4. Culvert SX7866, from east
53. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Aerial view, from north
54. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Aerial view, from east
2. Aerial view, from west
55. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Western half of the excavation area (Buildings SB4775, SB4783 and Ditches SD7870, SD8035), from south
2. Western half of the excavation area (Buildings SB7873, SB4775), from south
56. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Buildings SB4770, SB4775; Fence SA786, from south
2. Buildings SB7881, SB8005, from south
57. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Central and eastern parts of the excavation area, from south
2. Building SB7800, from east
58. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Buildings SB8000, SB8020, SB8030; Fences SA8006, SD8001, from west
59. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Building SB8020, from east
2. Building SB8030, from west
60. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Building SB8007, from east
2. Fence SA6905, from east
61. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Fence SA 6905, from east
2. Tsuji-kairo Corridor SC156, from south
62. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Ditch SD7870; Covered Conduit SX8056, from east
63. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Covered conduit of Ditch SD7870, from south
2. Covered conduit of Ditch SD7870 and Fence SA6905, from east
64. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Close-up of covered conduit of Ditch SD7870, from south
2. Close-up of covered conduit of Ditch SD7870, from east
65. Excavation no.78, north 6AAP-K
1. Wooden covered conduit of Ditch SD7872, from northest
2. Ditch SD7872, from south
3. Remaining part of covered conduit of Ditch SD7870 revealed in the supplementay excavation no.78, from east
66. Excavation no.187, 6AAO-S
1. Features from upper layers, from east
2. Features from lower layers, from west
67. Excavation no.187, 6AAO-S
1. Corridor SC060 and Fence SA061, from east
2. Aerial view, from east
68. Excavation no.187, 6AAO-S
1. Northeastern corner of Corridor SC156 and Fence SA6905, from north
2. Construction pit for foundation stones in the southern row of Corridor SC060, from east
3. Foundation stones for the southern pilaster of Corridor SC060, from west
69. Excavation no.187, 6AAO-S
1. Foundation stones for the western pilaster of Corridor SC060 and Fence SA061, from north
2. Pavement stones for the moat of Ichiniwa Kofun (burial mound), from west
70. Round and concave eaves tiles
71. Round and concave eaves tiles
72. Round and concave eaves tiles
73. Round and concave eaves tiles
74. Round eaves tile
75. Round eaves tile
76. Round eaves tile
77. Round eaves tile
78. Round eaves tile
79. Concave eaves tile
80. Concave eaves tile
81. Concave eaves tile
82. Example of concave edge･tile manufacturing technique
83. Round tile, round edge-tile
84. Concave tile, ridge-tile 1
85. Concave tile, ridge-tile 2
86. Concave tile, ridge-tile 3
87. Demon deign roof-end tile
88. Filler tile, ridge-tile, and stamped tile
89. Manufacturing technique for round eaves tile I
90. Manufacturing technique for round eaves tile II
91. Manufacturing technique for round eaves tile III
92. Manufacturing technique for round eaves tile IV
93. Manufacturing technique for round eaves tile V
94. Manufacturing technique for round eaves tile VI
95. Manufacturing technique for concave eaves tile I
96. Manufacturing technique for concave eaves tile II
97. Manufacturing technique for concave eaves tile III
98. Manufacturing technique for concave eaves tile IV
99. Manufacturing technique for concave eaves tile V
100. Manufacturing technique for concave eaves tile VI
101. Manufacturing technique for concave eaves tile VII
102. Pottery 1
103. Pottery 2
104. Pottery 3
105. Pottery 4
106. Pottery 5
107. Pottery 6
108. Unusual clay object, haniwa clay figurine with bird motif
109. Wooden objects 1
110. Wooden objects 2
111. Metal and stone objects
112. Coins and stone objects
ENGLISH SUMMARY
This report summarizes the achievements of excavations of the eastern half of the Inner Court or Imperial Domicile (Dairi 内裏) of the ancient Nara Imperial Palace (also referred to as the "Heijo平城" Palace) site (in use 710 to 784 A.D.) in Nara City, Japan (Fig.2). Not only does this report cover the results of six excavations carried out by the staff of the Division of the Heijo Palace Site Excavations of the Nara National Cultural Properties Research Institute between 1964 and 1987, but it also re-evaluates the results of three earlier excavations of the Palace Inner Court reported in the Research Reports of Nara National Cultural Properties Research Institute, No.16 in 1963. All these nine excavations completely uncovered the eastern half of the Inner Court, and the change in the arrangement of structures in the eighth century became clear. The results of these excavations also denied our long-held hypothesis that there were two sets of Inner Court complexes - the one in the west was assumed to be occupied in the early eighth century and the other in the east was assumed to be occupied later. Careful chronological analysis of structural features in this area shows that this area was the only Inner Court of the Heijo Palace since its inception in 710 until its end in 784. 1)
History of Research
Before the NNCPRI staff placed trenches, it was already a well-accepted theory that the Inner Court of the Palace was located in this area. The inner courts of any ancient palaces were situated to the north of the Great Audience Hall (Daigoku-den 大極殿), and an earthen platform which would probably be the foundation of the Heijo Palace Great Audience Hall had been situated in the south of the excavated area. Moreover, this location occupied the highest place in the presumed palace enclosure, suggesting the importance of this particular locality.
As early as 1938, structural remains were excavated at three localities in this area. In 1953 in the process of widening a nearby street, similar remains were discovered, and the national government excavated the surrounding area in January 1954. In 1960, '61, and '62, three successive excavations were conducted by the NNCPRI staff. The achievements of these excavations showed that the Inner Court was almost square in shape, about three hectares in area, enclosed by a corridor, and that the structural remains discovered earlier were the foundations of an earthen wall demarcating the eastern and northern ends of the Inner Court. The results of investigations presented in this report have added greatly to the knowledge acquired in these previous researches.
Structure of the Inner Court and the Change in It
A 1319 copy of the Inner Court drawing (Fig. 110) shows that the Inner Court complex was divided into three functionally specialized areas: Space A, which was designated as an area for the emperor's daily private life and called Gozaisho 御在所; Space B, in which the emperor held rituals, seasonal banquets, parties, and other political activities; and Space C, for the emperor's household.
Space A was situated in the center of the Inner Court complex, Space B to the south of Space A, and Space C around Spaces A and B. Within the individual spaces, the arrangements of architectural structures changed over time. Our investigations revealed that the arrangements evolved through six phases during the Nara Period. Furthermore, our careful examinations of discovered artifacts and historic sources made it possible to correspond each phase to the reigns of individual emperors. Discussion of the Inner Court complex in each phase is as follows:
Phase I (710 to ca. 718; Fig.113) represents the Inner Court during the reigns of the Empresses Gemmyo 元明 and Gensho 元正. It was a 180 meter long square, surrounded by a wooden fence. Both Spaces A and B were characterized by architectural structures of the same type and the same size. The structures were east-west oriented, and the floors were raised above ground. A distinguishing characteristic of the court arrangement in Phase I was that these main structures were only accompanied by yards in front of them and without any auxiliary structures or dividing fences. Space C was situated to the north of Space A, and in Space C were two large structures with multiple rooms. The structures were east-west oriented and located in the north and northeastern parts of Space A, between which was a yard.
Phase II (724 to ca. 748; Fig.114) represents the Inner Court constructed for the enthronement of Emperor Shomu 聖武. The whole complex had been moved slightly southward from Phase I. The plan of the complex became somewhat rectangular with a longer vertical side. The complex was enclosed by a wooden fence, similar to the case during Phase I. What distinguished the Phase II arrangement were: 1) there were auxiliary structures besides the main halls in Spaces A and B, and a few structures were grouped together; 2) Space C was divided into four major blocks; and most importantly 3) these grouped structures and blocks were systematically divided by a fence or a corridor supported by pillars.
In the case of Space B, the main hall was accompanied by two side buildings which were north-south oriented. These three formed a U-shaped arrangement, with a front yard opening south. The east and west sides of Space B were demarcated by a single corridor, and the north side by a double corridor. 2) Space A was similarly characterized by the U-shaped arrangement of three structures with a front yard facing south, and additionally with a back hall and a bath house in the north. The east, west and north sides of Space A were enclosed by a wooden fence.
Space C consisted of one block to the north of Space A (hereafter referred to as the "northern block") and three blocks in the east of Space A. In the northern block were large, multi-room structures, as Phase I. A large, east-west oriented structure with roofed verandas (hisashi 庇 3) ) in all four directions was located in the northernmost block to the east of Space A (hereafter ''northeastern block"). The middle block of the three (hereafter "middle block") were the main hall of a large structure with four roofed verandas, which was east-west oriented and accompanied by two auxiliary structures in the front and back of the main hall. The southernmost block (hereafter "southern block") was an empty space presumably used as a plaza. The main hall in the northeastern block during Phase II was identical to the main hall of Space A, and it is likely that it was the residence of a retired emperor. After Phase II, this main hall was replaced with other structures as time passed, while the structures and their arrangement in the middle and southern blocks remained more or less the same until 784.
Phase III (746 to ca. 759, Fig.115) represents the Inner Court during the reign of Empress Koken 孝謙 after the Palace returned from the Kuni 恭仁 Capital south of present-day Kyoto. The structural arrangement remained basically unchanged since Phase II, although some restructuring took place in Space A and the northeastern block of Space C. On the south side of the Inner Court near the eastern end, a pavilion-like structure was newly erected. It was accompanied by wooden stairs behind it and a substructure hiding the stairs. The internal division of the Court was changed from wooden fences to earthen walls. This change probably resulted from similar structural modification to the eastern complex of the Great Audience Hall and the Halls of State situated in the south of the Inner Court; the structures supported by pillars directly planted into the ground in the eastern complex were all replaced by structures standing on foundation stones, and the wooden fences were all changed to earthen walls and corridors standing on foundations stones and earthen platforms. Probably architects in the 740's intended to keep the external appearance of the Inner Court similar to that of the eastern complex of the Great Audience Hall and Halls State.
Phase IV (761 to ca. 770; Fig. 116) represent the Inner Court modified by the retired Empress Koken. The basic structural arrangement remained similar to that of Phase III with the following exceptions: In Space A, the main hall was moved a little to the east. While the back hall was demolished, a large east-west oriented structure with roofed verandas on the northern and southern sides was built in what used to be a yard. In Space C, the north and northeastern block were combined into one.
Phase V (770 to ca. 781; Fig. 117) represent the Inner Court during the reign of Emperor Konin 光仁. The complex during this phase is distinguished by the internal reorganization and enlargement of Space A, resulting in a reduced Space B, with the main hall being moved south and two lesser auxiliary structures being eliminated. Space A was further divided into two sections (hereafter Space A and Space A'). The south section (Space A) adjacent to Space B consisted of the east-west oriented main hall with a roofed veranda on the southern side and two lesser east-west oriented structures. In the north section (Space A'), the main hall which was again east-west oriented but with a roofed veranda on the northern side was surrounded by lesser structures in the front, back and both sides. There were additionally two auxiliary structures further to the north of this section.
Phase VI (781 to 784; Fig. 118) represents the Inner Court complex for Emperor Kammu 桓武. The heart of the complex, Spaces A and B, remained unchanged from Phase V. In Space C, however, structures in the north block were removed, and an east-west oriented main hall structure with roofed verandas on the north and south sides and a lesser auxiliary structure (back hall) were erected in the northeastern block.
Discussion: Historical Background for these Changes
The heart of the Inner Court during Phases I through III are the front yards of Spaces A and B, both surrounded by the main halls and two side halls. In the front yards, the bureaucrats and governmental officials gathered whenever the emperor issued decrees or held other political activities. It is possible to attribute the main hall of Space B to the Taian-den 大安殿 and that of Space A to the Naian-den 内安殿 described in the Shoku-Nihongi 『続日本紀』 [New Chronicle of Japan, compiled by the government in 797]. These two buildings are often mentioned in some literature before 760 A.D., which corresponds to Phases I though III, but never mentioned after that year.
Our investigations have made it clear that the front yard in Space B disappeared during Phase IV. This indicates that political activities no longer took place in the Gozaisho, i.e., this place was transformed into a purely private space for the emperor.
The expansion and reorganization of Space A during Phase V were, we speculate, a result of the addition or private quarters for the emperors' wives; it is likely that the wives of Emperors Konin and Kammu lived in the Inner Court. Before Phase V, except for Emperor Shomu whose wife resided in her parents' mansion beside the Heijo Palace (Fujiwara no Fuhito's mansion, later turned into the Hokke-ji monastery), only empresses occupied the throne, making it unnecessary to plan private quarters for the wives. In addition, the construction of a new complex in the northeastern block of Space C during Phase VI would indicate the beginning of the emperor's harem.
This basic organization of the Inner Court in Phases V and VI can be considered as the precursor of the Heian Palace Inner Court (794 to ca. 19th century) in Kyoto. A 1319 copy of the Heian Palace Inner Court drawing shows that the Inner Court consisted of three spaces in the center and four in the periphery. The three in the center probably correspond to Space A, Space A' (empress' private quarters), and Space B. The northeastern block of the Heian Palace Inner Court would correspond to the northeastern block of Space C of the Heijo Palace during Phase VI.
Discovered Artifacts
Very few artifacts were discovered because the Inner Court area was always kept clean in the Nara Period. The great majority of the artifacts were a result of discarding during the process of moving to the Nagaoka 長岡 Capital (southwest of Kyoto) in 784. Some pottery and roof tiles were mixed with dirt and earth filling post holes which resulted from restructuring in each phase. These artifacts are an important clue to dating structural features. Taking into consideration the results of other recent archaeological investigations of the Heijo Palace, we have reconsidered chronologies of pottery and roof tiles in this report.
In conclusion, the major gain of these nine investigations is that we have grasped the internal organization of the Heijo Palace Inner Court as well as the changes in the organization over time. We have also confirmed that there was only one Inner Court complex in the Heijo Palace throughout the Nara Period. Moreover, it is important to note that the origin of the Heian Palace Inner Court can be traced back to the 770's.
1) An old hypothesis was that there were two sets of central complexes, each of which consisted of the Inner Court, Great Audience Hall, and the Halls of State [Chodo-in] organized vertically from the north. One was located in the north of the Suzaku Gate [South Central Gate] of the Palace, now called the western section, and the other was located in the north of the Mibu Gate, now referred to as the eastern section. Results of recent excavations in these areas show that throughout the Nara Period (710-784) there were always two Great Audience Halls and two sets of the Halls of State (one in each section), rather than the western section being occupied earlier than the eastern section.
2) While a "single" corridor is a narrow corridor supported by two of pillars, a "double" corridor is a wide one supported by three rows of pillars.
3) A hisashi is a narrow aisle-like area outside of the core of a building. Throughout the text, it is referred to as a "roofed veranda."
