Abstract
In this study stone pagodas from ancient Japan (7th to 9th centuries) were analyzed. The findings show that there are some apparently influenced by the Korean Peninsula and two other types. While there are examples of the former type that are large and serve as temple buildings, the latter are located in mountain forest temples. I am of the opinion that stone pagodas were important mechanisms that made possible the existence of mountain forest temples as Mahayana precepts-based transgression repentance (keka 悔過) training sites that complemented flatland temples. This use of stone pagodas is different than China and Korea, which treated both wooden and stone pagodas in the same way. Moreover, ideas regarding Mahayana precepts-based transgression repentance were introduced from China, and I hold that the increase in stone pagodas at mountain forest temples corresponds to the Sinicization of Japanese Buddhism.
Highlights
While there are many examples of stonework in Japan, the most familiar are pagodas and Buddhist figures
Further evidence that Japanese pagodas from the 7th century were built by settlers with roots in the Korean Peninsula can be found in the Okamasu Ishindō 岡益石堂
I noted that ancient stone pagodas in Japan fall under three types, one of which is pagodas exhibiting the influence of the Korean
Summary
While there are many examples of stonework in Japan, the most familiar are pagodas and Buddhist figures. Stonework pieces from the latter half of the 13th century and later are prevalent throughout Japan, and have drawn the attention of many researchers and lay historians. The background to their construction and historical characteristics were unclear, and research that brought together examples of these stone pagodas was necessary. 工芸史 (The History of Japanese Stone Craftwork), covering the background of 7th and 8th century stonework creation and providing an overview of existing materials from the time, he noted that there was insufficient knowledge of their details due to lack of materials (Kawakatsu 1957). I will focus on the nature of such places and stone pagodas’ functions from this perspective
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