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 Nakatomi Kamatari, established the political foundation of the Fujiwara clan. The Ritsuryo system had been under development since the reigns of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō, and Fuhito was instrumental in practically completing it. Following Prince Kusakabe's premature death in 686, Fuhito, trusted by Empress Jitō, assumed a central role in the Imperial Court as guardian of Prince Kusakabe's son, Prince Karu (later Emperor Mommu). Fuhito led the compilation of the Taihō Code in 701, establishing the legal foundation for the Ritsuryo state system. This code established central and local administrative structures, a tax system based on the tax-labor system, and a land distribution system based on household registrations.

In 710, the capital was moved to Heijo-kyō, modeled after the Tang Dynasty capital of China, Chang'an, marking the beginning of the Nara period. Heijo-kyo was the first fully-fledged capital city based on the imperial capital system, and it flourished as a political and cultural center for the next 74 years. In addition to establishing the Ritsuryo system, Fuhito also focused on placing his family at the center of government, laying the foundation for the future prosperity of the Fujiwara clan. In 718, he completed the compilation of the Yoro Code, but it was not actually used until its enactment in 757. Fuhito's death (720) marked the completion of the Ritsuryo state system, but also ushered in an era of political power structure centered on the Fujiwara clan.

 

The Era of Nagaya no O (Grandson of Emperor Tenmu)

After Fuhito's death, the government was led by Nagaya no O, the grandson of Emperor Tenmu. Despite being a member of the imperial family, Nagaya no O was known for his rigorous knowledge of the Ritsuryo code and for being a highly learned politician. His reign was marked by the emergence of social problems, such as peasant desertion and vagrancy, uneven tax burdens, and a shortage of arable land, even as the Ritsuryo system was firmly established. To overcome this situation, in 722 he issued the "One Million Hectares Reclamation Plan Order," encouraging nationwide reclamation. The following year, in 723, he enacted the "Law of Three Generations and One Body," which allowed for the private ownership of reclaimed land for a certain period of time, thereby encouraging farmers to work harder.

However, politically, conflicts with Fujiwara no Fuhito's four children (Mutsushimaro, Fusasaki, Uma, and Maro) intensified. The question of whether to make Kōmyōshi (Fujiwara no Fuhito's daughter) empress became a political issue, and in 729, the Fujiwara clan and others accused Nagaya no O of treason and pressured him, driving him to suicide. This incident, known as the "Nagaya no O Incident," marked a major shift in the power structure from one centered on the imperial family to one centered on the Fujiwara clan.

 

The Era of the Four Fujiwara Houses (North and South Kyoto)

The Nagaya no O Incident further strengthened the Fujiwara clan's position, and Kōmyōshi became the first empress outside of the royal family. Fuhito's four sons—Mutsushimaro (Southern branch), Fusasaki (Northern branch), Ugo (Ceremonial branch), and Maro (Kyo branch)—are said to have "held four of the nine noble positions" and virtually controlled the core of government. During this period, national governance based on the Ritsuryo system further advanced, provincial governors were appointed to the provinces, and governance through family registration and land allotment systems began to take root.

However, beginning around 733, smallpox spread nationwide, and in 734, the four Fujiwara brothers succumbed to the disease one after another. This epidemic dramatically reduced the population and severely impacted tax collection and administrative management. Tachibana Moroe was the next to rise to power, filling the political vacuum.

 

The Era of Tachibana Moroe (Brother of Empress Kōmyō)

Tachibana Moroe was a member of the imperial family and assumed power with the trust of Emperor Shōmu. He appointed learned monks and scholars, such as Genbo and Kibi no Makibi, who had returned from the Tang Dynasty, and carried out reforms by absorbing the cultural artifacts and political systems of China and the Tang Dynasty. As a result, a central administrative structure was established, and a flamboyant, international court culture influenced by Chinese culture was formed.

However, in 740, Fujiwara no Uma's son, Fujiwara no Hirotsugu, started a rebellion in Dazaifu (the Fujiwara no Hirotsugu Rebellion). This rebellion is believed to have been motivated by dissatisfaction with local governance and opposition to the expansion of Buddhist influence. While the rebellion was suppressed by Ono no Azumajin, it exposed the instability of the nation. Furthermore, smallpox epidemics and famines continued, and Emperor Shomu began to consider using the power of Buddhism to achieve social stability. In 741, he ordered the construction of provincial temples and provincial nunneries, and in 743, he made a vow to erect the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple. Furthermore, in the same year, he issued the "Reclaimed Land, Eternal Private Property Law," replacing the Sansei Isshin Law and allowing for the expansion of private landholdings. As a result, manors began to form, strengthening the economic foundations of aristocrats, temples, and shrines.

 

The Age of Fujiwara no Nakamaro

After Emperor Shōmu abdicated and Empress Kōken ascended to the throne, Fujiwara no Nakamaro, son of Takechimaro of the Southern Fujiwara clan, rapidly rose to prominence. As a capable administrator, Nakamaro promoted the reconstruction of the Ritsuryo system of government and rose to a prominent position within the Fujiwara clan. When Tachibana Naramaro, son of Tachibana Moroe, attempted a failed coup d'état in 757 (the Tachibana Naramaro Rebellion), Nakamaro's power was further strengthened. In the same year, 718, the Yoro Code, compiled by Fujiwara no Fuhito and others, was officially enacted, establishing the national legal system. While promoting political reform, Nakamaro sought to modernize the administration, but his influence eventually deepened conflicts with the imperial family and clergy.

 

The Age of Dōkyō

Nakamaro's administration was supported by the support of his family and the confidence of Empress Kōmyō. Nakamaro continued to hold real power even after Emperor Junnin ascended to the throne, but after Empress Kōmyō's death in 760, discord with the former Empress Kōken surfaced. When Kōken fell ill, the monk Dōkyō treated her and earned her favor, leading to Dōkyō's rapid expansion of political influence. Feeling threatened by this, Nakamaro sought to seize military power and instigated the Emi no Oshikatsu Rebellion in 764, but was defeated and destroyed.

Afterward, Kōken re-enthroned as Emperor Shōtoku and appointed Dōkyō as Grand Minister of State and Zen Master, entrusting him with real power. Under Dōkyō's administration, Buddhist policy was further strengthened, and Buddhist elements were added to state rituals. In 769, a divine oracle was said to have been received from Usa Hachiman Shrine, urging Dōkyō to ascend to the heavenly throne. However, Wake no Kiyomaro denied this, and the incident, deemed a divine oracle, shook the imperial court. Upon the death of Emperor Shōtoku in 770, Dōkyō was unable to succeed to the throne, and Emperor Kōnin ascended to the throne instead. Dōkyō was demoted to Yakushi-ji Temple in Shimotsuke Province and completely retired from political life.

 

The Era of Fujiwara no Momokawa (the Ceremonial Family)

After Emperor Shōtoku's death in 770, confusion arose over the succession. Dōkyō was ousted, and Fujiwara no Momokawa of the Ceremonial Family assumed political leadership. Momokawa, the son of Fujiwara no Ugai and known as a capable bureaucrat, collaborated with Fujiwara no Nagate and others to support Prince Shirakabe and enthrone Emperor Kōnin. This marked the restoration of the long-interrupted Tenji line of imperial rule.

Reflecting on the Shōtoku-Dōkyō administration, which had seen Buddhist influence grow, Momokawa restored a system of government administration centered on aristocratic bureaucrats. He was notable for reorganizing the Ritsuryo system, strengthening oversight of local administration, and promoting fiscal reconstruction, while also curbing political interference by Buddhist temples. This stabilized the national system, and a certain degree of order was restored towards the end of the Nara period.

After Momokawa's death, power was passed on to Emperor Konin's son, Prince Yamabe (later Emperor Kanmu). Momokawa's reforms were a transitional attempt to rebuild the Ritsuryo state and lay the political foundations for the Heian period.

 

Timeline of the Nara period

710	Capital moved to Heijo-kyo (Empress Genmei)
711	Edict for the Promotion of Coinage (Chikusen Joi-rei)
718	Compilation of the Yoro Code (Ritsuryo laws)
722	Plan for Developing One Million Hectares of Land
723	Sanze Isshin Law (Law of Three Generations and One Possession)
729	Prince Nagaya Incident (Led by Fujiwara no Fuhito's faction)
740	Rebellion of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu (Dazaifu Rebellion)
743	Konden Einen Shizai Law (Law of Perpetual Ownership of Reclaimed Land)
756	Tachibana no Naramaro Conspiracy
757	Enforcement of the Yoro Code
764	Rebellion of Emi no Oshikatsu (Fujiwara no Nakamaro)
784	Emperor Kanmu moves the capital to Nagaoka-kyo*

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/

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