Japanese History Digest
Nara period
Nara period
The Nara period refers to the 84-year period from 710, when Emperor Genmei moved the capital to Heijo-kyo, to 794, when Emperor Kanmu moved the capital to Heian-kyo.
The era of Fujiwara no Fuhito
Fujiwara no Fuhito, the second son of Fujiwara no Kamatari, was entrusted with Prince Karu, later known as Emperor Monmu, by Prince Karu's son, Prince Kusabake. In 697, Fuhito assisted in the enthronement of Emperor Monmu, which gave him a platform to gain influence in national politics. Under Emperor Monmu's reign, Fuhito completed the "Taiho Code" in 701, moved the capital to Heijo-kyo in 710, and started work on the "Yoro Code" in 718, contributing to the development of a centralized state.
The era of Prince Nagaya (the grandson of Emperor Tenmu)
After Fujiwara no Fuhito's death in 720, Prince Nagaya, the grandson of Emperor Tenmu, seized power. At that time, social unrest such as the wandering and escape of peasants had become apparent, so Prince Nagaya promoted land system reforms such as the one-million-cho rice-field development plan in 722 and the Three-Generation Law in the following year. Meanwhile, there was deepening conflict with Fuhito's four sons within the government. In 729, Prince Nagaya was accused of rebellion over the succession of his half-sister, Komyoshi, who was the consort of Emperor Shomu and was forced to commit suicide. This incident is known as the Incident of Prince Nagaya.
The era of the Four Fujiwara Families
After the Incident of Prince Nagaya, Komyoshi became the first empress who was not a member of the imperial family. During this period, the four sons of Fujiwara no Fuhito (Muchimaro, Fusasaki, Umakai, and Maro) became the de facto rulers, holding four of the nine top court positions. However, they died in the smallpox epidemic that occurred in 734, and the era of the Four Fujiwara Families came to an end.
The era of Tachibana no Moroe
After the death of the four sons of Fujiwara no Fuhito, Tachibana no Moroe, a member of the imperial family, was appointed as dainagon and assisted Emperor Shomu. Tachibana no Moroe employed Genbo and Kibi no Makibi, who had returned from a mission to Tang China, and incorporated the Tang system into national politics. In 740, the son of Umakai Fujiwara no Hirotsugu was defeated by Oono no Azumabito in the rebellion of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu. Emperor Shomu, who was concerned about the spread of epidemics and the rebellion of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu, turned to Buddhism and established a protective state policy that aimed to stabilize the country through the power of Buddhism. In 743, he revised the Three-Generation Law, which had to be returned to the government after three generations, and promulgated the Enlarged Land Privileges Law.
Fujiwara no Nakamaro period
During the time of Fujiwara no Nakamaro, the son of Fujiwara no Muchimaro and ancestor of the Fujiwara Four Houses and the Southern Court, rose to the position of Dainagon (major councilor) and increased his power. In 757, his power grew even stronger after the failed rebellion of Tachibana no Naramaro. In the same year, the Yoro Ritsuryo, established by his grandfather, Fujiwara no Fuhito and others in 718, was put into effect.
Dokyo period
During the reign of Emperor Junnin, who ascended to the throne after receiving it from Emperor Kenmu, Fujiwara no Nakamaro held significant power, supported by Empress Komyo. However, after her death in 760, disagreements surfaced between Retired Emperor Koken and Fujiwara no Nakamaro. In particular, the conflict over the treatment of the monk Dokyo, who had cured Emperor Shomu's illness and received his favor, deepened. In 764, a military conflict broke out over the symbol of military command, the Suzu-in (bell-shaped seal), and Fujiwara no Nakamaro was punished as a traitor in the Emi-no-Oshikatsu rebellion. After this rebellion, Emperor Junnin abdicated and was succeeded by Emperor Shotoku. Dokyo became the minister of the state religion and received an oracle from the Usa Hachiman Shrine stating that he should ascend to the throne. This led to the Usa Hachiman Shrine oracle incident, which was disputed by Wake no Kiyomaro. After Emperor Shotoku's death, Dokyo was exiled to the Yakushi-ji temple in Shimotsuke Province.
Fujiwara Momokawa period
After Emperor Shotoku's death, in 770, Prince Shirakabe, supported by the Fujiwara Shikike family, ascended to the throne as Emperor Konin.
Timeline of the Nara period
| 710 AD | Moved the capital to Heijokyo |
| 711 AD | Tikusen-Joi-Rei(Law of Rank Through the Accumulation of Wealth) |
| 718 AD | The Yoro Ritsuryo was selected |
| 722 AD | Hyakuma-Chouho-Kaikon-Keikakus(the one-million-cho rice-field development plan) |
| 723 AD | Sanze-Isshin-Hou(a kind of encouragement of Land Reclamation Law) |
| 729 AD | Incident of Prince Nagaya occurred |
| 740 AD | Rebellion of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu occurred |
| 743 AD | Konden-einen-shizai-hou(a kind of encouragement of Land Reclamation Law) |
| 757 AD | The Yoro Code was put into effect. The Incident of Tachibana Naramaro occurred. |
| 764 AD | Emi-no-Oshikatsu rebellion occurred |
Facilities where you can learn about the Nara period
Heijokyo Palace Site Museum (Nara City, Nara Prefecture)
https://www.nabunken.go.jp/heijo/museum/index.html
Shosoin Repository (Nara City, Nara Prefecture)
http://shosoin.kunaicho.go.jp/
Toshodai-ji Temple (Nara City, Nara Prefecture)
https://toshodaiji.jp/english/index.html
Todai-ji Temple, Head Temple of the Kegon Sect (Nara City, Nara Prefecture)
http://www.todaiji.or.jp/index.html
Kofuku-ji Temple, Head Temple of the Hossō Sect (Nara City, Nara Prefecture)
http://www.kohfukuji.com/
Yakushi-ji Temple (Nara City, Nara Prefecture)
http://www.nara-yakushiji.com/
Nara Prefectural Museum of Manyo Culture (Asuka Village, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture)
https://www.manyo.jp/en/
