It is assumed that when Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the early sixth century there were no full-fledged temples; instead, small Buddhist shrines were built within the palace and houses.
日本に仏教が伝わってきた6世紀前半には、本格的な寺院はなく、宮殿や邸宅の中に小規模な仏堂が建てられたのみであったと想像される。