宝菩提院廃寺湯屋跡

What secrets lie buried beneath our feet? Here at the Hōbōdaiin Ato Furoyuato, the whispers of ancient bathing rituals echo through time. The Hōbōdaiin Ato Furoyuato, or “Bath Ruins of Hōbōdaiin Temple,” offers a glimpse into the daily lives of monks and commoners alike during the Heian period. The Hōbōdaiin Temple, originally built in 680, flourished during the peaceful Heian era, known then as the Monju-in Temple. During the Muromachi period, Hōbōdaiin Temple, then located on the eastern side of Kyoto, moved to this site, taking over Monju-in. This temple served as a center for Buddhist learning and practices. The Hōbōdaiin Ato Furoyuato is what remains of its bathing facilities. Furoyu, or bathhouses, were essential to temple life. They weren’t just for hygiene; they were also important for religious rituals and social gatherings. Monks were required to bathe twice a month according to Buddhist practices. Bathing was also extended to the public, further embedding the temple in the community’s daily life. Excavations at the Hōbōdaiin Ato Furoyuato revealed a complex and sophisticated bathhouse structure. A large, semi-circular kamado, or furnace, formed the heart of the furoyu, its stone walls scorched red from the heat. This furnace, measuring 1.7 meters in diameter, heated the water for the baths. Stone-lined water channels and drainage systems are evidence of the advanced engineering of the time. A well nearby provided the necessary water. Excavated artifacts, such as pottery fragments and roof tiles, date the ruins to the 10th century, suggesting the bathhouse predates the relocation of Hōbōdaiin Temple. This indicates that the furoyu was likely established during the early Heian era. The Hōbōdaiin Ato Furoyuato is more than just remnants of an ancient bathhouse. It is a time capsule, transporting us to a time of steaming baths, community gatherings, and the rhythmic chanting of Buddhist monks. These ruins, concealed beneath the earth for centuries, now reveal the intimate details of daily life in ancient Kyoto. They give us a tangible connection to the people who lived, bathed, and worshipped here at Hōbōdaiin Temple.