Report of Archaeological Investigations of the Yamadadera Temple Site: 2 Volumes (Text and Plates)

CONTENTS (TEXT)

Chapter I Introduction  1

1. Progress of the investigation of Yamadadera  1

2. Publication of this report   3

Chapter II History of Yamadadera   5

1. The “Endorsement” in Jogu Shotoku hoo teisetsu  5

A. Introduction  5

B. Credibility of the historic materials  5

C. Progress of construction   6

2. Legends concerning Soga no Kurayamada Ishikawamaro  8

A. Soga no Kura clan   8

B. The Taika Reform and the Minister of the Right  8

C. The Ishikawamaro Incident   10

3. Completion of the temple   11

A. Up to the completion of the temple   11

B. The scale of the cloister at Yamadadera  12

4. Subsequent history of Yamadadera   14

A. Ishikawa no Toshitari and Yamadadera  14

B. From the Heian period on   15

Chapter III Outline of the excavations   19

1. Progress of the excavations   19

2. Excavation areas   22

A. Location of the site and its environs   22

B. Division into sectors   25

3. Outline of each excavation   27

A. Excavation no. 1 (pagoda, middle gate)  27

B. Excavation no. 2 (main hall, cloister northern sector)   28

C. Excavation no. 3 (lecture hall, cloister northern sector)  31

D. Excavation no. 4 (cloister eastern sector, eastern limit of temple precinct)  33

E. Excavation no. 5 (cloister eastern sector)   35

F. Excavation no. 6 (cloister eastern sector, northeast part of temple precinct)  37

G. Excavation no. 7 (south gate, area south of temple precinct)   39

H. Excavation no. 8 (cloister eastern sector, treasure hall, western limit of temple precinct)  41

I. Excavation no. 9 (southeast part of temple precinct)   43

J. Excavation no. 10 (cloister southern sector)   44

K. Excavation no. 11 (area south of temple precinct)   46

L. Other excavations   46

4. Excavation logs  48

A. Excavation no. 1   48

B. Excavation no. 2   50

C. Excavation no. 3   53

D. Excavation no. 4   56

E. Excavation no. 5   60

F. Excavation no. 6   62

G. Excavation no. 7   63

H. Excavation no. 8   66

I. Excavation no. 9   68

J. Excavation no. 10   69

K. Excavation no. 11   71

Chapter IV Site description  73

1. General overview   73

A. Formation of the topography at Yamadadera   73

B. Stratigraphy and archaeological features   76

2. Descriptions of archaeological features   87

A. Ground preparation within the cloister   87

B. Middle gate  94

C. Cloister   98

D. Main hall   125

E. Pagoda   135

F. Other features within the cloister   141

G. Lecture hall, priests’ living quarters, and features in their environs  150

H. Treasure hall   154

I. South gate, precinct outer wall southern sector, and features in their environs  158

J. Precinct outer wall eastern, northern, and western sectors, west gate, and features in their environs   174

K. Other features   192

Chapter V Artifacts   201

1. Mokkan (wooden documents)   201

A. Features yielding mokkan   201

B. Mokkan recovered in the excavations   204

2. Roof and other tiles   207

A. Round eave tiles   207

B. Flat eave tiles   216

C. Round roof tiles   246

D. Flat roof tiles   249

E. Rafter-end tiles   278

F. Verge (gable overhang) tiles  284

G. Ridge gap-filling tiles   290

H. Ridge tiles   293

I. Ridge-crowning tiles, box-shaped tiles, etc.   298

J. Shibi (fishtail-shaped ridge-end ornaments)   303

K. Ridge-end tiles   313

L. Roof tiles with letters, incised symbols, etc.   318

M. Other tiles (non-roofing), earthenware piping, etc.   328

3. Pottery   331

A. From fill used to prepare the grounds for temple construction, and from features in underlying strata   331

B. From features related to the construction of the temple  335

C. From features related to the Nara period   337

D. From the main drainage channel SD 625   338

E. From the environs of the treasure hall (SB 660B)   340

F. From the environs of the lantern (SX 012)   342

G. From the environs of the cloister eastern sector (SC 060)   342

H. From features related to the Heian period   344

I. From features related to the medieval period   345

J. Sue ware incense burners   347

K. Lead-glazed stoneware   348

L. Pottery with ink or incised inscriptions   349

M. Ash-glazed stoneware   349

N. Porcelain   350

4. Buddha-image tiles, clay stupa  351

A. Tiles with twelve seated-Buddha images   351

B. Tiles with four seated-Buddha images   354

C. Small-scale single Buddha-image tiles   355

D. Large-scale single Buddha-mage tiles   356

E. Clay stupa  356

5. Wooden implements, bone implements, etc.   358

A. Wooden implements   358

B. Cloth, bone implements, etc.  369

6. Copper plates with five Buddha images and embossed Buddha images  370

A. Copper plate with five Buddha images   370

B. Copper plates with embossed Buddha images  372

7. Metal and glass objects   374

A. Metal objects  374

B. Coins   380

C. Glass objects  381

8. Items related to casting, stone implements   382

A. Items related to casting   382

B. Stone implements   387

9. Architectural members   390

A. Members from the cloister   390

B. Members from the treasure hall (SB 660B)   416

C. Members from the precinct outer wall, eastern sector (SA 500B)  419

D. Bracket arms of unknown provenance   422

E. Pillars of unknown provenance   423

10. Architectural materials of stone, wall materials  424

A. Stone materials   424

B. Wall materials   436

Chapter VI Interpretations  441

1. Reconstruction of the arrangement of buildings within the cloister: Construction plan and the shaku of construction   441

A. Introduction   441

B. Coordinates and orientations of the various features   441

C. Concerning the reconstruction of the arrangement of buildings within the cloister  443

D. Concerning the reconstruction of the arrangement of buildings outside the cloister  448

E. Summary   453

2. Observations on the architectural characteristics of the various buildings and on the Yamada road issue  455

A. The main hall building   455

B. The cloister building   457

C. The treasure hall building   470

D. The lecture hall building   475

E. On the Abe-Yamada road   479

3. Typology of roof tiles and identification of their uses in various buildings  487

A. Round eave tiles   487

B. Flat eave tiles   499

C. Round tiles   512

D. Rafter-end tiles   516

E. Ridge gap-filling tiles  517

F. Shibi (fishtail-shaped ridge-end ornaments)   519

G. Ridge-end tiles   524

H. Construction and repair at Yamadadera as seen from the roof tiles  534

4. On the pottery from strata below Yamadadera   540

A. Introduction   540

B. On Haji ware dish C  540

C. On Sue ware dishes H and G   542

D. Summary   546

5. Changes in archaeological features at Yamadadera   548

A. Features of Phase I  548

B. Features of Phase II  548

C. Features of Phase III  553

D. Features of Phase IV  557

E. Features of Phase V  560

F. Features of Phase VI  563

G. Features of Phase VII  564

Chapter VII Concluding remarks   565

Supplementary Discussion

1. Buddha-image tiles and copper plates recovered from Yamadadera: On their iconography and date of manufacture   570

2. An analysis of the lacquered wooden implements recovered from Yamadadera  581

3. Dendrochronology of architectural members recovered from Yamadadera  584

4. Identification of type of rock by naked eye examination of stone materials from the main hall at Yamadadera, and inferences about the source   585

5. Scientific examination of the metal implements recovered from Yamadadera  586

6. Scientific examination of the wall materials recovered from Yamadadera  589

7. Observations on the color of the iron oxide used for the “red ink” inscriptions on tiles recovered from Yamadadera   595

Supplementary Tables   599

Supplementary Figures   611

English Table of Contents   641

English Summary   655

FRONTISPIECE

Yamada road and Yamadadera, aerial view from the west

TABLES

Table

1. Chronology of Yamadadera   7

2. Location, duration, and area of each excavation  21

3. Names of the large and medium-sized precincts of each excavation  26

4. Coordinates of benchmarks of each precinct   26

5. Inspections conducted on the occasion of construction, etc. at Yamadadera  47

6. Relations of contemporaneity and chronological differences among strata and archaeological features, part 1 (main hall, pagoda, cloister northern sector)  78

7. Relations of contemporaneity and chronological differences among strata and archaeological features, part 2 (eastern part of site, cloister eastern sector, precinct outer wall eastern sector)   80-81

8. Relations of contemporaneity and chronological differences among strata and archaeological features, part 3 (south gate, precinct outer wall southern sector)  85

9. Elevations of pillar base stones (cloister eastern sector)   106

10. Elevations of pillar base stones (cloister southern sector)  115

11. Elevations of pillar base stones (cloister northern sector)  121

12. Sequence of strata in fill near the main hall   128

13. Sequence of strata in fill near the pagoda   136

14. Numbers of recovered mokkan   201

15. Red ink lines and inscriptions, black ink lines and inscriptions, by type of tile  236

16. Red ink lines on four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type A  237

17. Numbers of flat eave tiles recovered from Yamadadera by type of tile  241

18. Classification of method of finishing on interior surface of rafter-end tiles by type of tile  281

19. Classification of the shapes of nail holes, in section   282

20. Amounts of various parts recovered of single-bodied shibi  312

21. Classification and numbers of spatula-incised “ 大” characters on flat tiles  321

22. Numbers of tiles with letters, incised symbols, etc.   327

23. Classification of square tiles   328

24. Numbers of nail holes by their actual or inferred locations  353

25. Stone implements recovered from Yamadadera   388

26. Measurements of bearing blocks (daito) of the cloister   406

27. Rafter spans and roof tile widths of the cloister   414

28. Stone materials used in the buildings at Yamadadera   430, 431

29. Basic shaku unit in preliminary reports up to the present  441

30. Coordinates of main building remains  442

31. Orientation of the cloister   443

32. An examination of the north-south dimension of the cloister using four varieties of basic shaku units   444

33. Positional relationship of the cloister, pagoda, and main hall, part 1  444

34. Positional relationship of the cloister, pagoda, and main hall, part 2  445

35. An examination of the east-west dimension of the cloister using four varieties of construction shaku units   445

36. An examination of the dimensions of architectural members using four varieties of construction shaku units   446

37. Reconstruction of the basic shaku unit of B-style renjimado [window with vertical railing]   465

38. Frequencies of lining cloth seam impressions and shapes of overlay seams in the clay paste, by pattern of bucket mold impressions   505

39. Correspondences of lining cloths and sub-types of four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type A I   506

40. Results of dendrochronological examinations of architectural members recovered from Yamadadera  584

41. Compositional elements of iron oxide granules (electron X-ray diffraction analysis)  596

FIGURES

Figure

1. Genealogy of Ishikawamaro and his descendants  11

2. Excavation numbers and areas   21

3. Location of Yamadadera and neighboring sites   23

4. Parameters of large excavation sector 5BYD   25

5. Map of the excavation sectors   26

6. Reconstruction of the main hall   29

7. Area of excavation no. 1 (western sector)   48

8. Area of excavation no. 1 (eastern sector)   49

9. Area of excavation no. 2   51

10. Area of excavation no. 3   55

11. Area of excavation no. 4   57

12. Areas of excavations nos. 5 and 6   61

13. Area of excavation no. 7   65

14. Area of excavation no. 8   67

15. Areas of excavations nos. 9-11  69

16. Topography of the environs of Yamadadera   73

17. Reconstructed topography, first half of the seventh century  74

18. Reconstructed topography at the time of the founding of Yamadadera (mid-seventh century)   75

19. Strata south from the cloister northern sector (3rd bay)  88

20. Strata from the main hall (berm of eastern stairs) to the cloister eastern sector  89

21. Strata from the pagoda (berm of eastern stairs) to the cloister eastern sector  90

22. Tile pavement layout  93

23. Reconstruction of the middle gate podium   97

24. Horizontal plan, reconstructed middle gate   97

25. Division into bays and numbering scheme for the cloister  99

26. Condition of fallen roof tiles, cloister eastern sector (5th-8th bays)  99

27. Podium facing stones, east side of cloister eastern sector (21st bay)  100

28. Cloister eastern sector, in section   102, 103

29. Cloister wall base stones and scaffolding hole (SS 062), cloister eastern sector (18th bay)   107

30. Pillar base stones and cloister wall base, cloister eastern sector (8th bay)  107

31. Traces of removed cloister wall base stones and scaffolding hole (SS 062), cloister eastern sector (8th bay)   107

32. Door pivot hole, cloister eastern sector doorway (SX 065)  109

33. Cloister eastern sector doorway (SX 065)   109

34. Rain gutter (SD 061) and podium facing stones, western side of cloister eastern sector (14th bay)  111

35. Relations between ditches SD 552, 561, and 705   113

36. Cloister southern sector (2nd row of pillars) and strata, in section  114

37. Cloister southern sector (3rd row of pillars), in section   114

38. Cloister southern sector (5th bay) and strata, in section  116

39. right, Scaffolding hole SS 713; left, Section of cloister southern sector (3rd bay) and strata  116

40. Feature SX 713   117

41. Cloister northern sector, in section   119

42. Rain gutter (SD 081) and podium facing stones, south side of cloister northern sector (4th bay)   120

43. Drawing of the (tentative) reconstruction of the cloister  123

44. Structure of the main hall podium   126, 127

45. Podium foundation stones, podium-facing flagstones, and berm of the main hall podium (northwest corner)  129

46. Pounded-earth foundation and earthen layers of the stairs, western side of the main hall podium   130

47. Podium foundation stones and berm of the main hall podium  130

48. Reconstruction of the main hall stairs (west side)   131

49. Pillar base stones, main hall moya (building core)   133

50. Wall base stones, main hall hisashi (periphery surrounding the building core)  133

51. Structure of the pagoda podium   136, 137

52. Podium foundation stones and berm of the pagoda podium (east side)   138

53. Pounded-earth foundation for the pagoda podium and feature SX 184  143

54. Banner shaft holes SX 401, 402   144

55. top, Feature SX 014; bottom, Feature SX 015  145

56. Pit SK 206   147

57. Strata of ditch SD 209   148

58. Pit SK 204 and ditches SD 213, 247   149

59. Lecture hall (SB 100) podium and manner of setting pillar base stones  150

60. Banner shaft feature SX 445  152

61. Pillar base stones, priests’ quarters (SB 110)   153

62. Rain gutter and podium, treasure hall (SB 660)  154, 155

63. Changes in the treasure hall (SB 660)   156

64. Scaffolding hole SS 663 and wooden bridge feature SX 622  159

65. Northern rain gutter (SD 647), south gate   159

66. South gate and the outer wall southern sector, in section  160, 161

67. Fourth western pillar, outer wall southern sector (SA 600, 631), in section  164

68. Main drainage channel SD 625, rain gutters (SD 637, 639) of the southern sector, earthen outer wall, and related features   164, 165

69. Main drainage channel SD 625 and wooden bridge post feature SX 623  167

70. Banner shaft features SX 604, 605   170

71. Changes in the south gate and the outer wall southern sector  172

72. Eastern sector, outer wall (SA 500) and earthen outer wall (SA 535), in section  176, 177

73. Pillar holes, outer wall eastern sector (SA 500A, 500B)  178

74. Main drainage channel (SD 530, 531, 540) and the rain gutter (SD 693) of the outer wall eastern sector (excavation no. 6, northern section)  178, 179

75. Collapsed condition of outer wall eastern sector (SA 500B, excavation no. 9) and earthen outer wall eastern sector (SA 535)   180

76. Pillar hole of outer wall northern sector (SA 570) and feature SD 581  182

77. Culverts SX 573, 574  183

78. Pillar holes, outer wall western sector (SA 570) and western gate (SB 685)  184, 185

79. Main drainage channel SD 540B (excavation no. 6, northern section)  188

80. East-west pillared fence SA 505, in section   189, 190

81. North-south strata of cloister eastern sector (SC 060)   193

82. Strata in the environs of ditch SD 007  195

83. Ditches SD 222, 223, in section   196, 197

84. Temple bell casting foundry feature SK 440  200

85. Diagram of methods of processing the broad ends of Yamadadera style round eave tiles  207

86. Yamadadera style round eave tiles, type I  208

87. Yamadadera style round eave tile, type II  209

88. Daikandaiji style, Heijokyu style round eave tiles  210

89. Triple swirling-comma design, and other styles of round eave tiles  211

90. Classification of four-ply arc styles of flat eave tiles   214

91. Sub-types of four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type A I   216

92. Sub-types of four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type A II  218

93. Sub-types of four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type B I   219

94. Sub-types of four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type B II  220

95. Sub-types of four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type C I   222

96. Sub-types of four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type C II  223

97. Sub-types of four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, types D, E  224

98. Sub-types of four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type F   226

99. Sub-types of four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type G   227

100. Sub-types of four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type H   228

101. Classification of three-ply arc styles of flat eave tiles   229

102. Flat eave tiles other than multiple-ply arc styles   231

103. Related styles of flat eave tiles    232

104. Four-ply arc style flat eave corner tiles   234

105. Diagram of positions of red and black ink inscriptions   239

106. Dimensions of round tiles, part 1 (Asuka)   247

107. Dimensions of round tiles, part 2 (Hakuho)   247

108. Dimensions of round tiles, part 3 (Nara-Kamakura)   248

109. Diagram of cloth lining seams for type 1 flat eave tiles (1)  253

110. Diagram of cloth lining seams for type 1 flat eave tiles (2)  256

111. Diagram of cloth lining seams for type 2 flat eave tiles  259

112. Diagram of cloth lining seams for type 3 flat eave tiles  261

113. Diagram of cloth lining seams for type 4 flat eave tiles  265

114. Diagram of cloth lining seams for type 5 flat eave tiles  267

115. Diagram of cloth lining seams for type 6 flat eave tiles  269

116. Rafter-end tiles, part 1   279

117. Rafter-end tiles, part 2   280

118. Four-ply arc style verge tiles B3, B4  286

119. Verge tiles from the Ueno and Amadera Kita abandoned temples  289

120. Ridge gap-filling tiles A I a3  291

121. Traces of weathering on ridge gap-filling tiles BIa  292

122. Gable ridge tiles, part 1   294

123. Gable ridge tiles, part 2   295

124. Box-shaped tile A1, with spatula-incised “乙” character  300

125. Names of shibi (curved fishtail ornament at ridge end) tile parts  303

126. Double-bodied shibi seen in a picture scroll   308

127. Coloration of type A ridge-end “demon” tiles  315

128. Sue ware incense burners   347

129. Numbers and positions of nail holes in tiles with twelve seated-Buddha images  353

130. Bell-casting mold parts   383

131. Comparison of the dimensions of bellows nozzles   386

132. Cloister column (reconstruction)   391

133. Cloister base penetrating tie beam (reconstruction)   392

134. Cloister wall strut (reconstruction)   394

135. Cloister wall strut, base penetrating tie beam, and middle non-penetrating tie beam articulation  394

136. Cloister middle non-penetrating tie beam (reconstruction)  396

137. Cloister middle non-penetrating tie beam joint   396

138. Cloister window jamb (reconstruction)   398

139. Cloister window frame, lateral member (reconstruction)  399

140. Cloister window jamb and frame lateral member articulation   400

141. Cloister window frame, top and bottom members (reconstruction)  401

142. Cloister head penetrating tie beam (reconstruction)   403

143. Cloister head penetrating tie beam joint   403

144. Cloister large bearing block (reconstruction)   405

145. Cloister bracket arm (reconstruction)   406

146. Cloister small bearing block (reconstruction)   408

147. Cloister bracket assembly (reconstruction)   408

148. Diagonal braces, Horyuji refectory    408

149. Cloister rainbow beam (reconstruction)   410

150. Cloister rafters (reconstruction)    411

151. Cloister eave support (reconstruction)   414

152. Cloister door-pivot socket assembly member (reconstruction)   415

153. Treasure hall eave support joint    416

154. Outer wall ridge pole (reconstruction)   419

155. Outer wall pillar, top portion (reconstruction)  420

156. Outer wall (reconstruction)     421

157. Bracket arm, provenance uncertain (reconstruction)   422

158. Primary bracket arm, provenance uncertain (reconstruction)   423

159. Stone lantern SX 012B (reconstruction)   434

160. Wall lathing core (reconstruction)    437

161. Dimensions of intervals between buildings (reconstruction)  447

162. Inferred dimensions of temple construction plan (reconstruction)  449

163. Comparison of main hall horizontal plans   455

164. Cloister reconstruction, in section    457

165. Cloister reconstruction, in elevation    458

166. Cloister window and doorway, in horizontal plan  459

167. Cloister doorway, exploded view   459

168. Cloister structure    460

169. Comparison of the walls of the cloisters at Yamadadera and Horyuji, western precinct   466

170. Articulation of the head penetrating tie beams and columns in the main hall at Horyuji   467

171. Bracket assemblies of buildings surviving from the Asuka and Nara periods  468

172. Examination of hip rafter placements which divide the roof corners into unequal angles  472

173. Treasure hall and sutra repository, Toshodaiji  473

174. Comparison of horizontal plans of lecture halls at ancient temples  477

175. Inferred route of the Abe-Yamada road   481

176. Topographic map of the environs of the Abe-Yamada road  483

177. Progression of mold blemishes and processes for attaching the antefix, type A tiles  489

178. Progression of mold blemishes and processes for attaching the antefix, type C tiles  491

179. Positions and processes for attaching the antefix, types B, D, and F tiles  492

180. Thicknesses of the body of Yamadadera style round tiles and round eave tiles  494

181. Comparison of widths of a and b surfaces in step-cut process attachments  494

182. Widths from the end of the imbrex to the tip of the antefix rim in types A and D round eave tiles   495

183. Ratios of types of Yamadadera style round eave tiles for each excavation  495

184. Changes in types of Yamadadera style round eave tiles and the process of construction of Yamadadera  497

185. Cloth lining seam impressions on four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type A I  502

186. Bucket-mold board impressions on four-ply arc style flat eave tiles, type A I  504

187. Dimensions of ridge gap-filling tiles   518

188. Single-bodied shibi (reconstruction)   520

189. Process of manufacturing shibi (reconstruction)  523

190. Ridge-end tiles for transverse and corner descending ridges (kudarimune, sumimune)  525

191. Ridge-end tiles inferred for main ridge use   526

192. Positions of ridge-end tiles on corner descending ridges  527

193. Ridge-end tile recovered from Bomunsa temple, Silla   527

194. Miniature stone sanctuary from Furuhokke, Hyogo prefecture  527

195. Ridge-end tiles from the Nara palace   528

196. Articulation of the transverse descending ridge-end tile with round and flat tiles on the middle gate, Yamadadera   529

197. Combinations of round and flat eave tiles, and rafter-end tiles  535

198. Relations of refitted pottery  540

199. Rim diameters and vessel heights for Haji ware bowls, type C  541

200. Rim diameters and surface finishing methods for Sue ware bowls, type H  544

201. Type H Sue ware bowls of Tokai region manufacture   545

202. Rim diameters and surface finishing methods for Sue ware bowls, type G  545

203. Map of Phase II features   551

204. Map of Phase III features   555

205. Map of Phase IV features   559

206. Map of Phase V features   562

207. Horyuji main hall mural no. 10   577

208. Analysis of the pigment of red lacquer in lacquered wooden objects recovered from Yamadadera   582

209. Results of dendrochronological dating of architectural members recovered from Yamadadera   584

210. Electron microscopic observation and X-ray diffraction analysis of cross-sections of iron nails   588

211. Results of X-ray diffraction analysis on white layers from walls  591

SUPPLEMENTARY TABLES

1. Classification of round eave tile styles and the locations where recovered  600

2. Classification of rafter-end tile styles and the locations where recovered  602

3. List of measurements of coins   604

4. List of baked clay objects related to casting, part 1   605

5. List of baked clay objects related to casting, part 2   606

6. Main dimensions of recovered architectural members   607

7. Dimensions of bracket assemblies surviving in Asuka and Nara period architecture  608

8. Analyses of the lacquer film on lacquered wooden objects recovered from Yamadadera   609

9. Results of tephra analysis   610

SUPPLEMENTARY FIGURES

1. Round eave tile distribution, part 1 (Yamadadera style, type A; mid-seventh century)   612

2. Round eave tile distribution, part 2 (Yamadadera style, types B and E; mid-seventh century)   613

3. Round eave tile distribution, part 3 (Yamadadera style, type D; mid-seventh century)   614

4. Round eave tile distribution, part 4 (Yamadadera style, types A, C, and F; mid-seventh century)   615

5. Round eave tile distribution, part 5 (eighth century)  616

6. Round eave tile distribution, part 6 (from medieval period on)  617

7. Flat eave tile distribution, part 1 (four-ply arc style, type A I)  618

8. Flat eave tile distribution, part 2 (four-ply arc style, type A II)  619

9. Flat eave tile distribution, part 3 (four-ply arc style, type B)  620

10. Flat eave tile distribution, part 4 (four-ply arc style, type C)  621

11. Flat eave tile distribution, part 5 (four-ply arc style, types D and E)  622

12. Flat eave tile distribution, part 6 (four-ply arc style, types F and G)  623

13. Flat eave tile distribution, part 7 (four-ply arc style, type H)  624

14. Flat eave tile distribution, part 8 (three-ply arc style)   625

15. Flat eave tile distribution, part 9 (symmetrical intertwining floral design, etc.)  626

16. Round tile distribution, part 1 (mid-seventh century)   627

17. Round tile distribution, part 2 (latter half, seventh century)  628

18. Round tile distribution, part 3 (eighth century to medieval period)  629

19. Rafter-end tile distribution, part 1 (types A, D, and E)   630

20. Rafter-end tile distribution, part 2 (types B and C)   631

21. Ridge gap-filling tile distribution   632

22. Shibi distribution   633

23. Ridge-end tile distribution    634

24. Buddha-image tile distribution   635

25. Distributions of tiles with spatula-incised characters and marks, part 1 (round tiles) 636

26. Distributions of tiles with spatula-incised characters and marks, part 2 (flat tiles) 637

27. Distributions of metal objects and coins  638

CONTENTS (ILLUSTRATIONS)

PLANS

Plan

1. Layout of plans of features

2-16. Plans of features

17. Architectural members as discovered in the cloister eastern sector (SC 060), 3rd-13th bays

18. Pillar base stones from the cloister

19. Doorway (SX 666) and stairway (SX 668) at the north end of cloister eastern sector (SC 060)

20. Culvert (SX 670) at the north end of cloister eastern sector (SC 060)

21. Culvert (SX 700) cloister southern sector (SC 050)

22. Western stairs, main hall (SB 010)

23. Stone lantern (SX 012) and tile pavement

24. Pillar base stones and wall base stones, lecture hall (SB 100)

25. Stone piling of main drainage channel (SD 625B) south of the south gate

26. Stone piling of main drainage channel (SD 531) east of the outer wall eastern sector

27. Medieval well

SUPPLEMENTARY PLANS (In envelope inside back cover)

1. Yamadadera archaeological features, entire excavation area

2. Main strara at Yamadadera

COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS

Color photo

1. (top) Yamadadera main hall (from the south)

(bottom) Restoration and presentation of Yamadadera (aerial view from the east)

2. (top left) Copper plate with five Buddha images

(top right) Copper plate with embossed Buddha image

(middle left) Gold muktahara (decorative pendant)

(middle right) Black-lacquered gold-leafed tile with twelve seated-Buddha images

(bottom) Fire-damaged tiles with twelve seated-Buddha images

3. Various types of Buddha-image tiles

4. (top left) Mural fragment from the main hall

(middle left) Decorative cover for the center of the lotus-blossom design on a rafter-end tile

(top right, Rafter-end tiles with coloration applied middle right)

(bottom) Various types of glazed stoneware

5. Round tiles with lines and characters drawn in red, part 1

6. Round tiles with lines and characters drawn in red, part 2

7. Microscopic photographs of the cross-section of the lacquer film on lacquered wooden objects

8. (top) Microscopic photographs of metal objects

(bottom) Microscopic photographs of earth used in walls

PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo

1. Panorama of area of excavation at Yamadadera (composite aerial view)

2. Panorama of the central portion of the cloister (composite aerial view)

3-5. Tile pavement within the cloister, parts 1-3

6. Middle gate (SB 003) and environs

7-19. Cloister eastern sector (SC 060; excavation no. 5), parts 1-13

20-21. Cloister eastern sector (SC 060; excavation no. 4, southern sector), parts 1-2

22-27. Cloister eastern sector (SC 060; excavation no. 6, southern sector), parts 1-6

28-29. Cloister eastern sector (SC 060; excavation no. 4, northern sector), parts 1-2

30-31. Cloister eastern sector (SC 060; excavation no. 8, eastern sector), parts 1-2

32-36. Cloister southern sector (SC 050; excavation no. 10), parts 1-5

37. Cloister northern sector (SC 080; excavation no. 2)

38-39. Cloister northern sector (SC 080; excavation no. 3), parts 1-2

40-41. Cloister pillar base stones, parts 1-2

42-46. Main hall (SB 010), parts 1-5

47-50. Pagoda (SB 005), parts 1-4

51-54. Other features within the cloister, parts 1-4

55-56. Lecture hall (SB 100), parts 1-2

57-58. Treasure hall (SB 660), parts 1-2

59-64. South gate, outer wall southern sector, and environs, parts 1-6

65-66. Outer wall eastern sector (SA 500) and environs (excavation no. 4, northern sector), parts 1-2

67. Outer wall eastern sector (SA 500) and environs (excavation no. 8, eastern sector)

68-69. Outer wall eastern sector (SA 500) and environs (excavation no. 9), parts 1-2

70-71. Outer wall northern sector (SA 570) and environs, parts 1-2

72. West gate (SB 685) and outer wall western sector (SA 680)

73. Area to the east of outer wall eastern sector (SA 500)

74. Seventh-century and medieval features

75. Medieval wells

76-81. Mokkan, parts 1-6

82-83. Principal combinations of eave tiles, parts 1-2

84, 87. Round eave tiles, parts 1-2

85-86, Photographs of details of round eave tiles, parts 1-4

88-89.

90. Round eave tiles, part 3

91-92, Flat eave tiles, parts 1-4

94, 96.

93, 95. Photographs of details of flat eave tiles, parts 1-6

97-100

101-102, Flat eave tiles, parts 5-7

104.

103, 105- Photographs of details of flat eave tiles, parts 7-10

107.

108-110. Flat eave tiles, parts 8-10

111-114. Photographs of details of flat eave tiles, parts 11-14

115, 117- Flat eave tiles, parts 11-15

120.

116, 121- Photographs of details of flat eave tiles, parts 15-20

125.

126-127. Flat eave tiles, parts 16-17

128-132. Round tiles, parts 1-5

133. Photographs of details of round tiles

134-169. Flat tiles, parts 1-36

170-173. Rafter-end tiles, parts 1-4

174-175. Photographs of details of rafter-end tiles, parts 1-2

176, 179, Photographs of details of verge tiles, parts 1-3

181

177-178, Verge tiles, parts 1-4

180-182.

183-184. Ridge gap-filling tiles, parts 1-2

185-188. Ridge tiles, parts 1-4

189. Ridge crowning tiles

190. Photographs of details of box-shaped tiles

191-192. Flat tiles modified for use as various constructional tiles, parts 1-2

193, 195, Shibi, parts 1-3

197.

194, 196, Photographs of details of shibi, parts 1-4

198, 201.

199, 200, Shibi, parts 4-7

202-203.

204-205. Ridge-end tiles, parts 1-2

206. Photographs of details of ridge-end tiles

207. Ridge-end tiles, hip rafter cover tiles, tiles of unknown use

208-212. Spatula-incised characters and marks, parts 1-5

213. Tiles, earthenware piping, etc.

214-220. Pottery, parts 1-7

221-225. Buddha-image tiles, parts 1-5

226. Buddha-image tiles, clay stupa

227-232. Wooden implements, parts 1-6

233-239. Metal implements, parts 1-7

240. Coins

241. Copper plate with five Buddha images, in the collection of the Hakutsuru Art Museum

242. Copper plate with five Buddha images, copper plate with embossed Buddha image

243-244. Baked clay objects related to casting, parts 1-2

245. Stone implements

246-256. Architectural members, parts 1-11

257-259. Architectural stone materials, parts 1-3

260. Items for reference in relation to the Buddha-image tiles and copper plate Buddha images

ENGLISH SUMMARY

The preceding chapters have discussed the results of a total of eleven excavations at Yamadadera temple. A summary is provided here, along with comments on research topics for the future.

1. Archaeological Features

　A Sequence of Changes in Archaeological Features at Yamadadera

　The sequence of changes in archaeological features at Yamadadera divides broadly into seven phases as follows: Phase I – prior to the construction of Yamadadera; Phase II – the time of construction of Yamadadera in the reigns of Kogyoku and Kotoku (mid-seventh century); Phase III – from the completion of the Yamadadera cloister in the reign of Tenmu (latter part of the seventh century) to the mid-eighth century; Phase IV – from the mid-eighth to the latter half of the ninth centuries; Phase V – from the first half of the tenth through the beginning of the eleventh centuries; Phase VI – from the first half of the eleventh to the destruction of Yamadadera by fire at the end of the eleventh century; Phase VII – from the time of the reconstruction of Yamadadera in the Kamakura period on.

　Phase I: Judging from the artifacts recovered, it is seen that prior to the construction of Yamadadera this area was used for human livelihood from the Jomon period on, up to the fifth and sixth centuries during the Kofun period. Over this interval, valleys opening at various points to the west appear to have become gradually filled.

　In the first half of the seventh century, over an area extending from the pagoda (SB 005) and the south gate (SB 001), and spreading approximately 60 m north-south and 50 m east-west, is a residential area marked off by pillared fences. To the south of this the Yamada road (SF 614) was constructed with gutters on its northern and southern sides. The orientation for both features veered twelve degrees west of north, and was made to follow the topography of the valley.

　Mokkan (wooden documents) were recovered from the northern gutter of the Yamada road (SF 614), from which it is thought that the precinct to the north was not an ordinary settlement, but was possibly the former residence of the builder of Yamadadera, Soga no Kurayamada Ishikawamaro, or one of his clan members. In other words, it may be said that Yamadadera was built by utilizing the residential land of the clan which built it.

　Phase II: The period of construction of Yamadadera (mid-seventh century). Preparation of the grounds was conducted on a large scale by cutting down the hillside and filling in the valley that had remained in the first part of the seventh century.

　While the main hall (SB 010), the cloister surrounding it (SC 050, 060, 070, 080), and the middle gate (SB 003) were built, together with the large pillared-fence delimiting the temple precinct as its outer wall (SA 500, 570, 600, 680) and its several gates, the temple was still not complete. The south gate was an embedded-pillar gatehouse (SB 599). To the south the new Yamada road (SF 608A), which shared the same orientation as Yamadadera, was completed.

　Also, shafts for banners were erected at various places within the cloister, in addition to points SX 604, 619, 621, and 624 in front of the south gate.

　Phase III: The time of completion of the various temple buildings, with the pagoda (SB 005), lecture hall (SB 100), and the treasure hall (SB 660A) newly constructed, and the priests’ living quarters (SB 110, 111) and other facilities also completed. The south gate was renovated as a building standing on pillar base stones (SB 001), and parts of the southern and eastern main drainage channels (SD 531, 625B) were improved as stone-lined ditches.

　In this period as well there were banners erected in front of the south gate (SX 603) and at various places within the cloister.

　Phase IV: The interior of the cloister was paved with tile, and to the east of the cloister the “Tohoku-in” (northeast hall) was constructed. The treasure hall (SB 660B) was also improved. To the south and east of the cloister, as it appears that earth kept sliding down from the nearby hillside, drainage channels (SD 552, 705) were newly constructed just outside the cloister.

　Phase V: The eastern sector of the precinct outer wall collapsed in the first part of the tenth century, and was improved on that occasion to a tamped-earth wall (SA 535). It is thought that the other three sides were also converted to tamped-earth structures. The area within the cloister was also completely converted to a graveled surface. The “Tohoku-in” is thought to have been abandoned at this time.

　In the first half of the eleventh century, a large amount of earth slid down from the hillsides to the south and east, and the southern and eastern sides of the cloister collapsed. By this time the southern and eastern tamped-earth walls had already collapsed and remained in the shape of earthen ramparts. But the pagoda, main hall, and the western half of the cloister and tamped-earth enclosing wall remained, as did the lecture hall and priests’ living quarters.

　Phase VI: Soldier monks from Kofukuji stormed the temple in 1187, taking the main image from the lecture hall. Layers of scorched earth are found near the lecture hall, pagoda, and main hall, and from a chronological evaluation of the objects recovered, it is inferred that these structures were burned down in 1187. Yamadadera was thereby reduced to nothing.

　Phase VII: It is deduced from the objects recovered that Yamadadera was rebuilt in the Kamakura period. It appears that a main hall was built at the spot of the former lecture hall (SB 100), and that to its southwest a sutra repository, belfry, or perhaps a small Buddha hall was erected on the former site of the cloister’s northern side. It is also clear that at this time Yamadadera was partitioned off by a large ditch, for purposes of defense and protection from fire.

　B The Plan of Construction at Yamadadera

　Yamadadera consisted of the main hall (SB 010) and pagoda (SB 005) lined up north-south and enclosed by the cloister (SC 050, 060, 070, 080), with the precinct outer wall (SA 500, 570, 600, 680) delimiting the area to the outside. Between the outer wall and the cloister stood the treasure hall (SB 660), etc., and the lecture hall (SB 100) was placed on the cloister’s main axis. This layout is called the Yamadadera style, in distinction from the Shitennoji style of layout in which the lecture hall is centered on the cloister itself.

　Scale of the Buildings: The south gate (SB 001) was a building with pillars standing on foundation stones, and had a low podium. The structure was 3 x 2 bays, with a total length of 30 shaku (approximately 8.8 m) along the ridge axis, and a transverse length of 17 shaku (approx. 5.0 m), with the shaku used in its construction taken as 29.45 cm.

　Remains of the middle gate (SB 003) no longer exist due to subsequent leveling of the area, but from the holes for the scaffolding used in its construction, and from other evidence, it is reconstructed as 3 x 3 bays. The size of the building is inferred to have been 30 shaku (approximately 9.1 m) along the ridge axis, and 22.5 shaku (approx. 6.8 m) in transverse length, taking the shaku of construction as 30.24 cm.

　The pagoda (SB 005) was a building with pillars standing on foundation stones, and having a podium faced with hewn stone (with a height reconstructed as 1.74 m). The building was 3 x 3 bays, and 22 shaku (approx. 6.5 m) square, taking the shaku of construction as 29.7 cm.

　The main hall (SB 010) also had pillars standing on foundation stones, and a podium faced with hewn stone (reconstructed as 1.8 m in height). The building had an unusual plan of a core (moya) and a peripheral portion (hisashi) both of 3 x 2 bays. Taking the shaku of construction as 30.24 cm, the total length along the ridge axis was 48 shaku (approx. 14.5 m), and the transverse length was 38 shaku (approx. 11.5 m).

　The lecture hall (SB 100) is inferred to have been a building with pillars standing on foundation stones, and a podium faced with hewn stone. The building was 8 x 4 bays, and 111 shaku (approx. 32.7 m) along with ridge axis by 49 shaku (approx. 14.4m) transversely, taking the shaku of construction as 29.45 cm.

　The treasure hall (SB 660B) also had pillars on foundation stones, and a low podium. The nature of the outside face of the podium is unclear. The building was 3 x 3 bays and oriented north-south, and taking the shaku of construction as about 30.5 cm, the length along the ridge axis was 19.5 shaku (approx. 6.0 m), and the transverse length was 16.5 shaku (approx. 5.0 m).

　The cloister (SC 050, 060, 070, 080) had pillar foundation stones, and a relatively low podium faced with natural stones. There was a rain gutter along the interior side. The cloister corridor was built with a single wall, and taking the shaku of construction as 30.24 cm, it was 12.5 shaku (approx. 3.8 m) in width. The middle gate, described above, stood at the center of the southern side. There were doorways at the centers of the eastern, western, and northern sides, and at both ends of the northern and southern sides.

　Although the precinct outer wall (SA 500, 570, 600, 680) was built as a large pillared-fence, it had a podium approximately 2 m wide. The south gate described above opened at the center of its southern side, and there were also gates opening at the centers of the other three sides.

　Plan of Construction: The cloister had an overall length of 287.5 shaku (approx. 86.9 m) north-south, and 280 shaku (approx. 84.7 m) east-west, taking the shaku of construction as 30.24 cm. There were doorways opening at the center of the eastern and western corridors, with the northern and southern sections of each corridor dividing into 11 bays (of 12.5 shaku length) each. The north-south length was planned by subtracting one 12.5 shaku span from 300 shaku. The northern and southern corridors were designed with the 30-shaku middle gate or the north side’s doorway opening at the center, and 10 bays (of 12.5 shaku) to the east and west on each side.

　The precinct outer wall shows slight variation in the orientation of each side, as well as variation in the lengths, but is inferred to have been planned as 627 shaku (approx. 185.6 m) in overall north-south length, and 400 shaku (approx. 118.2 m) east-west, taking the shaku of construction as between 29.5 and 29.6 cm. The eastern and western sides are seen to have been planned as 600 shaku of wall, to which the eastern and western gates were added, and the northern and southern sides as 400 shaku in overall length including the northern and southern gates. The span between posts of the outer wall is basically 8 shaku, but judging from the layout of the posts in plan and from the archaeological features themselves, toward the eastern and western ends of both the northern and southern sides, and in the northern half of the western side, it may be assumed that a slightly longer span was commonly used between posts.

　The shaku used in construction was around 30 cm in length throughout, but with slight variation. While some of the difference in this regard can be attributed to the passage of time, one cause is thought to be that the main hall and cloister, which used shaku of over 30 cm, and other structures with shaku of less than 30 cm, were built by different groups of artisans.

　C Architectural Characteristics of Various Structures at Yamadadera

　Main Hall (SB 101): The building has an unusual design of a core and peripheral portion each having 3 x 2 bays. Seen structurally, it is thought that the building was designed to strengthen the corners of the eaves by placing the bracket assemblies in radial fashion, as in the fan-like shape seen on the Tamamushi shrine of Horyuji. A number of such examples have been discovered since the main hall at Yamadadera was excavated, and it is now thought that there was considerable variation in ancient architecture in this regard.

　Cloister (SC 050, 060, 070, 080): Part of the structure collapsed and was preserved due to a large landslide in the first half of the eleventh century. As a result, it has become possible to obtain a great amount of information on seventh-century architecture, for which examples were until this time extremely rare, apart from the western cloister of Horyuji.

　In comparison with Horyuji’s western cloister, the structure’s columns are low and the space between the rails of the windows is narrow, giving a closed off but imposing outward appearance. With regard to each particular architectural member as well, in the method of crafting the bracket assemblies or the curve of the rafters, etc., results have been obtained which change previous understandings of architectural history.

　Lecture Hall (SB 100): As a characteristic particular to the Yamadadera lecture hall, the entire front face of the peripheral portion (hisashi), the southernmost bay on each lateral face, and two bays in the center of the rear face of the structure were provided with doors that could be opened, differing in this regard from the lecture halls of the Nara period on which are closed off. Looking closely at the locations of doorways on the rear face, the arrangement changed to the central portion plus both ends in the Nara period, and only the two ends in the Heian period.

　Whereas the lecture hall was originally a place for discussions, a main Buddha image later came to be placed at its center, and it is inferred that the central doorway to its rear thus lost its function. It is thought that while the Yamadadera lecture hall drew upon an old style of layout, it presents a transitional form in which a main image came to be placed in the structure.

　Other Structures: It is clear that the south gate (SB 001) had all of the spans between pillars on the ridge axis as doorways, and took a three-bay, three-door style having no parallel in ancient temple architecture. The treasure hall (SB 660B) was slightly longer in the north-south direction, but from the eave supports and other materials recovered in the excavation, it is presumed to have had a hipped and gabled roof with eaves flaring out at the corners.

　2. Artifacts

　A Mokkan (wooden documents)

While the sixty-four recovered items are small in numbers, mokkan related to sutras which were recovered from the treasure hall (SB 660B) and its environs, and items dating from the first half of the seventh century are noteworthy.

　Mokkan from the Treasure Hall (SB 660B) and Its Environs: Large-scale mokkan that can be called records of the loaning of sutras held in the treasure hall were found, and in addition to the names of the sutras and the manner of their care, the loaning of these materials over at least the period spanning Tenpyo Shoho 6 to Konin 2 (754 to 807) has become clear.

　Mokkan from the First Half of the Seventh Century: One of the oldest mokkan in Japan was recovered from the gutter (SD 619) on the north side of the old Yamada road. While there is nothing remarkable about the contents of the item, along with the existence of a pillared fence (SA 620) it is thought to indicate the possibility that a residence belonging to Soga no Kurayamada Ishikawamaro, who built Yamadadera, or to a member of his clan, stood at this location.

　B Roof Tiles

Roof tiles were recovered in tremendous amounts. From the analysis and study of these materials, the course of construction of Yamadadera and its subsequent maintenance and care, and also the nature of the reconstruction of Yamadadera in the medieval period have been clarified.

　Tiles Used in the Original Construction: In the mid- to late seventh century, around the eaves the so-called Yamadadera style of round eave tile (types A-D) were used in accordance to the particular building, together with the four-ply arc style of flat eave tile (types A-D) and rafter-end tiles (types A-E), while the kudarimune (descending ridges perpendicular to the main ridge) and sumimune (descending ridges on the corners of the hip roof) had lotus motif ridge-end tiles (types A and B), and the main ridges of the south gate (SB 001), middle gate (SB 003), main hall (SB 0101, and lecture hall (SB 100) had single-bodied shibi (fishtail-shaped ridge-end ornaments; types A-E), and the cloister had double-bodied shibi.

　The pagoda used two types of eave tiles and rafter-end tiles, and from the method of manufacture it can be inferred that the construction of the pagoda was undertaken from the middle of the century over the latter part of that century, with an interval in which work was interrupted.

　Tiles Used for Repairs: From the end of the seventh to the latter half of the eighth centuries, it is estimated that the roof tiles were re-laid approximately three times. Round eave tiles were made with new techniques even while utilizing the molds for the Yamadadera style (types A-C), and flat eave tiles were also made in the four-ply arc style but with new techniques (types F-H). Tiles made for Daikandaiji temple, and for the Nara capital and palace, were also utilized. Ridge-end tiles were evidently all changed over to items of the demon-face style (types A and B) from the latter half of the eighth to the first part of the ninth centuries.

　Tiles Used in the Medieval Reconstruction: After Yamadadera burned at the end of the twelfth century, in the early Kamakura period, by the latter half of the thirteenth century at the latest, a main hall was erected above the former lecture hall, and other restorations were made. Round eave tiles had a triple swirling-comma design, and flat eave tiles had a symmetrical intertwining floral design.

　C Other Items

　Pottery: In addition to one Late Jomon example, pottery of every sort from the Kofun period (fifth-sixth centuries) to the medieval period was recovered.

　Pottery recovered from beneath the fill used to prepare the grounds for the construction of Yamadadera (SD 619, etc.) has yielded data essential for the construction of seventh-century ceramic typologies. As for items associated with Yamadadera itself, in addition to every type of glazed stoneware, the pottery used by the monks in daily life, recovered from pit SK 575, is noteworthy.

　Buddha-Image Tiles: There are items of various types having single, four, and twelve images, and the application of gold leaf can also be discerned. In particular, it can be inferred that the twelve-image tiles were for use in the pagoda.

　Wooden and Bone Implements: While the amounts were not great, various types of wooden implements were recovered. Discoveries worthy of note are: ritual items from just prior to the construction of Yamadadera or from the first half of the seventh century, namely wooden effigies in the shape of pointed boards, black lacquered vessels, and oracles bones; black-lacquered miniature shrines and other boxes for holding various types of Buddhist paraphernalia and sutra scrolls, stored in the treasure hall (SB 660B) at Yamadadera; a horizontally-long picture frame, thought to have been for use on the south gate (SB 001).

　Also, horse bones and teeth were recovered on the interior of the eastern side of the precinct outer wall, from layers deposited from the tenth to the first half of the eleventh centuries, but the reason for these materials being there is unclear.

　Metal and Glass Items: In addition to various types of iron nails for use in the buildings, items recovered included iron tools, corner brackets for eave supports, and bell-shaped wind chimes from the pagoda (SB 005), Buddhist paraphernalia stored in the treasure hall (SB 660B) such as gilt bronze decorative items or copper plates with five Buddha images and embossed Buddha images, plus vessels and other items of lead glass. Vessels, etc. of lead glass were also recovered from above the podium of the main hall (SB 010). There were a total of twenty-six coins, which served as important clues in tracing the changes in features at Yamadadera.

　Stone Tools, Items Related to Casting: It became clear that artifacts related to casting, which accompanied the construction of Yamadadera, are found lying relatively close to the buildings themselves. The mold recovered from the remains of the foundry for casting the temple bell, which accompanied the reconstruction of Yamadadera in the medieval period, is of special note.

　Most of the stone tools were whetstones, but the discovery of a stone used as a body warmer can be said a rare find.

　3. Topics and Prospects for Future Research

　It can be said with some measure of pride that after eleven excavations, and long periods thereafter of sorting and studying the results, it has been possible to trace out the history of Yamadadera in reasonably fine detail. Among ancient temples built in the seventh century, Yamadadera can be called the ground-breaking example of one which has been brought to light almost in its entirety through excavation. But there are still areas for further work.

　Verification of the Priests’ Living Quarters and External Facilities: It was inferred that Yamadadera had priests’ living quarters on three sides of the temple precinct. But only a small portion of these have been investigated. In particular, verification of the nature of the row of pillar base stones (SB 111) remaining to the north of the lecture hall (SB 100) is necessary.

　To the north and east of the precinct outer wall eastern sector (SA 500) is the “Tohoku-in” (northeast hall). The extent of this facility is still unverified, nor is its nature clear. It is possible that other facilities in addition to this one, related to the temple, lay outside the precinct outer wall.

　Concerning the Residence from the First Half of the Seventh Century: The residence of Soga no Kurayamada Ishikawamaro, who initiated the construction of Yamadadera, or of a member of his clan, on the site of the temple has been inferred. Investigation has been restricted to an extremely small portion of it, due to the thick layer of fill used in preparing the site for the temple’s construction.

　The residential area was inferred to have extended about 60 m north-south by 50 m east-west, but it is possible this was not the center of the lot, which may have continued farther north. It is hoped that the results of investigation of this northern area will also help clarify the history of the Yamada road.

　Yamadadera Style Eave Tiles and Their Influence: From examinations of the designs on the faces of the tiles and from the method of their manufacture, it has become clear that Yamadadera style eave tiles divide into two periods, belonging to the mid-seventh century and the latter half of that century.

　Yamadadera style eave tiles have become an important index for studying the expansion of Buddhism (through temples) to various regions. Taking the results of work at Yamadadera as the foundation, a careful reexamination of Yamadadera and related styles of eave tiles, and those of other styles in each region is a task for further work.