However, because old roof-tiles dating back to the early Nara period were excavated from the area around Kon-do Hall, and the fact that the relationship between Otomo clan and the temple is supported by historical material, it is possible to consider that the inauguration tradition described above is not just a legend but a story in which historical fact was reflected to some extent.
しかし、金堂付近からは、奈良時代前期にさかのぼる古瓦が出土しており、大友氏と寺との関係も史料から裏付けられることから、以上の草創伝承は単なる伝説ではなく、ある程度史実を反映したものと見ることができる。