Haji Momoi Abandoned Temple Site

Haji Momoi Temple Site: A Seventh-Century Temple Plan

The Haji Momoi Abandoned Temple Site (土師百井廃寺跡, Haji Momoi Haiji Ato) is the site of a late seventh-century temple in Haji Momoi, Yazu Town, Yazu District, Tottori Prefecture, designated a national Historic Site in 1931.

According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the temple faced south on a gentle slope with hills behind and the Kisaichi River in front, near where the Kisaichi and Hatto rivers meet on the middle Sendai River, and was laid out in the Hokiji style. The area corresponds to the ancient Haji district of Yakami in Inaba province.

The pagoda foundation stones had long survived intact, and the underground central pillar base and roof tiles showed a late seventh-century date, so the site was first designated as a pagoda site.

Why It Was Designated

Ahead of farmland consolidation, the Koge Town Board of Education excavated in 1978 and 1979. The pagoda had a platform 16 metres square, and the main hall to its west kept its stone-faced platform, 18 metres east to west and 16 metres north to south.

Kerbstones of the middle gate were found to the south, the cloister had a platform 5.4 metres wide joining the lecture hall, and four lecture hall bases with round pillar seats remained in place, suggesting a hall about 30 metres by 19 metres. Stone footings probably of a mud wall were found to the north and west.

With almost the whole layout confirmed, the Agency renamed the Haji Momoi Abandoned Temple Site and extended the designated area. The Yazu tourism association notes that inscribed tiles and ridge-end ornaments have also been found.

What to Look For

Start with the pagoda foundation stones, intact for centuries. The pagoda platform, 16 metres square, and the main hall platform to its west show the Hokiji-style layout with pagoda and hall side by side.

Visiting

The site is outdoors, and no official information on fees or hours was found. It is in Haji Momoi, Yazu; enquiries go to the Yazu Town Board of Education social education section on 0858-84-1232.