Historians and scholars of architectural history were in dispute about the year of construction of Horyu-ji Temple (and whether or not the temple had been rebuilt), which led to a more in-depth study of Japan's architectural history using methods such as archaeological excavation and surveying remnants of ancient structures, examining the styles of existing buildings and studying literature such as Rikkokushi (Japan's six national histories).
また、建築史学者と歴史家の間に法隆寺の建設年代に関する論争（法隆寺再建・非再建論争）が起こったが、現存する建物の様式論や、六国史などの文献研究はもとより、遺構調査など考古学の発掘成果も取り入れられるようになって、学問の深化が見られた。