Emperor Shōmu of Japan established so-called provincial temples (国分寺: kokubun-ji for monks; 国分尼寺: kokubun-niji for nuns) in each province of Japan. Tōdai-ji, the provincial temple of Yamato Province, served as the head of all these kokubun-ji and Hokke-ji held that duty for the kokubun-niji.
The words "kokubunji" and "kokubun-niji" gave rise to many place names still in use today, including: