武井廃寺塔跡 | |
  Takei temple ruins Show map of Gunma Prefecture Takei temple ruins (Japan) Show map of Japan | |
| Location | Kiryū, Gunma,Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Kantō region |
| Coordinates | 36°25′26″N139°14′35″E / 36.42389°N 139.24306°E /36.42389; 139.24306 |
| History | |
| Founded | late 7th century |
| Periods | Nara period |
| Site notes | |
| Public access | Yes (no facilities) |
TheTakei temple ruins (武井廃寺塔跡,Takei Haiji tō ato) is anarchaeological site with the foundations of what appears to have been apagoda located in what is now the city ofKiryū,Gunma Prefecture in the northernKantō region ofJapan. It was designated aNational Historic Site of Japan in 1941.[1]
The Takei temple ruins consists of a shaped cornerstone made ofandesite with a diameter of 107 centimeters, resting on a soil base. This foundation stone has a hole with a diameter of 42 cm and depth of 38 cm drilled in its center. Since fragments ofroof tiles from theNara period have been found surrounding this foundation stone, was is believed to have been the foundation of a pagoda from a now-vanishedNara periodBuddhist temple. However, since no other foundation stones were found in the vicinity, and as the terrain is on a slope, it gradually became accepted that this assumption was incorrect. A furtherarchaeological excavation in 1969 revealed that the base of the structure was anoctagon [ja], measuring 7.8 meters on each side. It is now believed to have been a structure covering a grave site, as similar burial mounds have been found in theKinai region of Japan.
The site is located about 15 minutes on foot fromNiizato Station onJōmō Electric Railway.