Natsumi Temple Complex

The former Natsumi Temple (夏見廃寺, Natsumi-haiji) was a Buddhist temple complex during the Nara period in the city of Nabari, Mie Prefecture, Japan. It was built under a vow of Princess Oku in remembrance of her dead father, Emperor Temmu. The structures were burnt out in the end of the 10th century, but the foundations were found through the excavation by Kyoto University in May 1946. Today, the site of this temple is a part of Nabari City Central Park.

The foundations of the main hall, a pagoda, a lecture hall, and surrounding buildings are preserved.

Investigation makes it clear that Natsumi Temple's main hall had the same design as that of Asuka's Yamada-dera, which was one of this period's major temples. The fact means that the priests of this temple were keeping good connections with the central government.

The Exhibition Hall near the site displays and explains the articles dug up at the site and the molded Buddhas, with which it is said the main hall was decorated.

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natsumi_Temple_complex