Japanese History Digest
Asuka period
Asuka period
The Asuka Period refers to the era from 592 to 710, during which the imperial capital was located in Asuka.
During the reign of Empress Suiko (593-628)
In 592, Empress Suiko ascended to the throne after the assassination of Emperor Sushun by Soga no Umako. She appointed Prince Shotoku as Crown Prince. At that time, there was a dispute over the treatment of Buddhism between Mononobe no Moriya and Soga no Umako, but it was settled in 587 when Soga no Umako destroyed the Mononobe clan. In 604, Empress Suiko strengthened domestic governance by establishing the Twelve-Level Cap and Rank System and the Seventeen-Article Constitution. The background to these domestic institutional developments was the unification of China by the Sui dynasty.
During the reign of Emperor Jomei (629-641)
After Empress Suiko's passing, there were voices among the courtiers supporting Prince Tamura and Prince Yamashiro no Ōe as the next emperor. Prince Tamura, who had the support of Soga no Emishi, ascended to the throne as Emperor Jomei.
During the reign of Emperor Kogyoku (642-645)
After the death of Emperor Jomei, the Empress became Emperor Kogyoku. During her reign, Soga no Emishi and Ooe no Iruka dominated the government. In 645, the Incident at the Nakatomi Palace occurred, where Prince Naka no Ooe and others assassinated Soga no Iruka. Afterwards, Emperor Kogyoku abdicated and her younger brother ascended the throne as Emperor Kotoku.
During the reign of Emperor Kotoku (645-654)
In 645, Emperor Kotoku ascended to the throne as the successor of Emperor Kogyoku. His half-brother, Prince Naka no Ooe, became Crown Prince. Emperor Kotoku established the first Japanese era name, Taika, which later became known as the Taika Reforms, a series of major institutional reforms implemented by Emperor Kotoku's predecessor, Emperor Kogyoku. After the Incident at the Nakatomi Palace, the construction of the Naniwa Nagara-Toyosaki Palace, which was planned by Prince Naka no Ooe and others, was completed, and the capital was moved to the new palace in 652.
During the reign of Emperor Saimei (655-661)
After the death of Emperor Kotoku in 654, his predecessor Emperor Kogyoku, who was previously known as Emperor Kogyoku, ascended the throne once again as Emperor Saimei. In 660, Baekje was defeated by the Tang dynasty and came to an end, but the exiled Baekje king requested help from Japan to revive his kingdom. In 663, Prince Naka no Ooe led a rescue mission to Baekje, but was defeated in the Battle of Baekgang.
During the reign of Emperor Tenji (668-672)
Following the defeat in the Battle of Baekgang, the capital was moved to Otsu in Omi Province. In 668, Prince Oama, who had previously been acting as regent, ascended the throne as Emperor Tenji. To guard against possible Tang invasions, defensive measures such as frontier guards, castles with moats, Korean-style mountain castles, and beacon towers were established. In terms of domestic affairs, the Omi Law was compiled, and a census called the Kougo Nenjaku was created, laying the foundation for the introduction of the system of public land ownership and public obligation to serve.
During the reign of Emperor Tenmu (673-686)
In the era of Emperor Tenmu (673-686), a rebellion known as the Jinshin War broke out between Prince Oama, younger brother of Emperor Tenji, and Prince Otomo, son of Emperor Tenji. Prince Oama emerged victorious and moved the capital to Asuka-kyo, where he ascended the throne as Emperor Tenmu. Emperor Tenmu established a new form of government, known as Koshinsei, in which the imperial family members were responsible for governing the country without the need for ministers. In order to transition to the new system, he implemented reforms such as the Eight-Surname System.
During the reign of Emperor Jitou (690-697)
Around 685 AD, Emperor Tenmu, who had been suffering from illness, was replaced by Empress Jitou (later Emperor Monmu) and her son, Prince Kusakabe (later Emperor Monmu), who took over the government. When Emperor Tenmu passed away in 686 AD, the following year saw the revelation of Prince Otsu's rebellion. Prince Otsu was Emperor Tenmu's nephew and Empress Jitou's cousin, and he committed suicide after the incident. Emperor Monmu inherited Emperor Tenmu's policies and promoted the establishment of the Asuka-Jōmyōri legal code and the construction of Fujiwara-kyo. During this period, the Hakuo culture flourished.
During the reign of Emperor Monmu (690-697)
In 697 AD, Prince Karu, who received the throne from Emperor Monmu, ascended to the throne as Emperor Monmu. In 701 AD, Prince Obito and Fujiwara no Fuhito led the compilation of the Taiho Code, which completed the codification of Ritsu (administrative law and civil law) and Ryo (criminal law).
Timeline of the Asuka period
| 592 AD | Soga no Umako assassinated Emperor Sutoku. The accession of Emperor Suiko took place. Prince Shotoku became the regent. |
| 604 AD | Prince Shotoku established the Twelve Ranks of Cap and Gown. |
| 604 AD | Prince Shotoku promulgated the Seventeen Article Constitution. |
| 607 AD | Ono no Imoko dispatched Hai Seisei as an envoy of gratitude. |
| 608 AD | Takamuko no Kuromaro, Soumin and Minabuchi no Shouan went to study abroad and witnessed the collapse of the Sui dynasty and the founding of the Tang dynasty. |
| 645 AD | Taika Reform |
| 663 AD | The Battle of Baekgang (Hakusukinoe). Emperor Saimei sent troops to aid Baekje (Kudara). To defend the Dazaifu (regional government office in Kyushu), guards (defenders) were stationed. |
| 670 AD | The Kougo Nenjaku was created, which was a document summarizing the results of a population census. |
| 672 AD | The Jinshin War occurred.Prince Oama emerged victorious in the Jinshin War. As a result, the authority of the emperor increased and the system of public lands and people was established. |
| 673 AD | Prince Oama moved the capital to Asuka Kiyonomiharamiya Palace and became Emperor Tenmu. |
| 684 AD | The Eight Colors of Nobility were established," which refers to a system of eight hereditary noble titles. |
| 690 AD | The Koin Nenjaku was created, which was a document summarizing the results of a population census. The system of divided fields, known as Kubunden, was introduced, under which plots of land were assigned to individuals and families. |
| 694 AD | The capital was moved to Fujiwara-kyo. |
| 701 AD | Emperor Monmu promulgated the Taiho Code, which was a legal code of Japan that was established a centralized government and administrative system. |
Facilities where you can learn about the Asuka period
Osaka Museum of History - Naniwa Palace Site (Chuo-ku, Osaka)
http://www.mus-his.city.osaka.jp/news/zyousetu/b1.html
Ootsunomiya Nishikori Archaeological Site of Otsu Palace (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture)
https://www.biwako-visitors.jp/spot/detail/971
Ishibutai Kofun Tomb (Asuka-mura, Takaichi-gun, Nara Prefecture)
https://asukamura.com/sightseeing/499/
Turtle-shaped Stone Object (Asuka-mura, Takaichi-gun, Nara Prefecture)
https://asukamura.com/sightseeing/522/
Experience Asuka (Asuka-mura, Takaichi-gun, Nara Prefecture)
https://asukamura.com/experience/545/
Asuka Historical Museum operated by the Asuka Historical Preservation Foundation (Asuka-mura, Takaichi-gun, Nara Prefecture)
http://www.asukabito.or.jp/
