Yoshinogari Keitai-Guide
This building is situated on the central axis of the Northern Inner Enclosure, a line connecting sunrise at the summer solstice and sunset at the winter solstice. This suggests that it is an institution related to festivals for the summer and winter solstices. In ancient China the emperor prayed to heaven on the day of the winter solstice, and other prayer ceremonies were held on the day of the summer solstice. The hours of sunlight were also measured at the time. It is assumed that as this building and the Northern Inner Enclosure are related to sunrise and sunset at the summer and winter solstices, also in ancient Japan the high priest conducted religious rituals on behalf of the country.
(C)YOSHINOGARI HISTORICAL PARK