Chojagahara Haiji Ato is the remains of defunct temple in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, which is the site of a temple built about 1,000 years ago at the end of the Heian Period. The remains are facing south and consist of several earthen walls in square with about 100 meters from south and to north each and with about 90 meters from east and to west each. Two times of excavation and research were conducted in 1958 and in 1972. By those excavation and research, we found the site of the west gate earthen wall, the site of the south gate, the site of the main hall and the site of the western tower.
Before we came to know those from excavation and research, it was said that the remains were the sites of the house of Sueharu Sanjo Kichiji who was a purveyor of Hidehira Fujiwara, the 3rd generation of Oshu Fujiwara family. It is also said that Hidehira took Yoshitsune Minamoto from Kyoto to Hiraizumi.
However, after excavation and research, considering orientation of foundation stones, orientation of the remains and Haji potteries excavated, we now think that the remains are of an important temple which was built in same period of prosperity of Oshu Fujiwara family or before.
The Chijigahara Haiji Ato site shows that Buddhist culture flourished in this area before the 1st generation of Oshu Fujiwara family, Kiyohira Fujiwara built Chuson-ji Temple. It is important source of information for the early development of Hiraizumi’s culture.
As such, there are many places in Hiraizumi which are not famous, but important and can feel old days in Hiraizumi.
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