English index
Japanese index
Japanese index

Sakafuneishi iseki teien ikō
酒船石遺跡庭園遺構

garden remains at the Sakafuneishi site


The Sakafuneishi site is centered on a hill lying east of the palaces of successive emperors of the Asuka period (seventh century). It was named after the mysterious stone feature called Sakafuneishi. Recent excavations at the foot of the hill's northern face unearthed garden remains comprised of a turtle-shaped stone basin, stair-like stone facilities, an open space paved with stones, etc. These features were built during the reign of Empress Saimei (mid- seventh century), renovated in the time of Emperor Tenmu (late seventh century), and remained uncovered until the early tenth century. In the Asuka period, these garden facilities are thought to have been used for imperial rituals. They are located in the village of Asuka.


Japanese Garden Dictionary: A Glossary for Japanese Gardens and Their History
(C) 2010 by Ono Kenkichi and Walter Edwards. All rights reserved.