Literature and Cultural Developments
– Concentrated efforts by the imperial court to record its history
– First works of Japanese literature produced during the Nara period
– Kojiki and Nihon Shoki used to record and establish the supremacy of emperors
– Spread of written language led to the writing of Japanese poetry (waka)
– Manyōshū compiled from poems composed between 600 and 759 CE
– Writing of major literary monuments, including Kojiki, Nihon Shoki, Manyōshū, and Kaifūsō
– Permanent establishment of Buddhism during the Nara period
– Emperor Shōmu and Fujiwara consort actively promoted Buddhism
– Construction of Tōdai-ji and placement of the Great Buddha Daibutsu
– Central government established kokubunji temples in the provinces
– Shōsōin treasures archived in Tōdai-ji temple
– Tempyō culture influenced by Silk Road areas
– Imported treasures from China, Korea, India, and the Islamic empire
– Shōsōin documents, including more than 10,000 paper documents
– Contributions of Shōsōin documents to the understanding of the era
Economic, Livelihood, and Administrative Developments
– Introduction of the Gokishichidō system
– Capital moved to Heijō-kyō (Nara) in AD 710
– Population of Nara reached 200,000 with 10,000 people working in government jobs
– Increased economic and administrative activity during the Nara period
– Rise of shōen (landed estates) and decline of old land reform systems
Factional Fighting at the Imperial Court
– Imperial family members, leading court families, and Buddhist priests contended for influence
– Prince Nagaya seized power after the death of Fujiwara no Fuhito
– Temporary reduction in Fujiwara dominance due to smallpox outbreak and rebellion
– Financial burdens on the state increased in the late Nara period
– Decentralization of authority and capital moved to Nagaoka-kyō and later Heian-kyō (Kyoto)
International Relations
– The Nara court imported knowledge from Tang dynasty China through diplomatic envoys known as kentōshi.
– Many Japanese students studied in Changan and Luoyang.
– Abe no Nakamaro, a student, passed the Chinese civil examination and served as governor-general in Annam.
– Kibi no Makibi and other returning students were promoted to high government posts.
– Tang China did not send official envoys to Japan.
– Relations with the Korean kingdom of Silla were initially peaceful.
– Balhae’s rise destabilized Japan-Silla relations.
– Balhae sent its first mission to Nara in 728.
– Japan welcomed Balhae as the successor state to Goguryeo.
– Silla had unified the Three Kingdoms of Korea.
Events and Hayato People
– In 710, Japan’s capital was moved from Fujiwara-kyō to Heijō-kyō, modeled after Changan.
– The Kojiki, a collection of tales, was published in 712.
– The Hōshi Ryokan, the second oldest known hotel in the world, was founded in 717.
– The Nihon Shoki, another collection of tales, was published in 720.
– A devastating smallpox epidemic occurred from 735 to 737, leading to the construction of Buddhist structures.
– The Hayato people in southern Kyushu resisted Yamato dynasty rule during the Nara period.
– They were believed to be of Austronesian origin and had a unique culture.
– The Hayato people were eventually subjugated by the Ritsuryō.
– Their dance appeared in various historical texts.
– The Kojiki, Nihon Shoki, and Shoku Nihongi mention their tribute to the court. Source URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_period
