Summary

• 630

  The first Japanese envoy was dispatched to Tang Dynasty China.

• 694

  The capital was relocated to Fujiwarakyo.

  Fujiwarakyo was located in an area surrounded by the Three Mountains of Yamato.

  

• 697

  Emperor Monmu ascended the throne.

• 701

  The Taiho Code was enacted.

• 707

  Empress Genmei ascended the throne.

• 708

  Wado Kaiho coins were issued.

  People could buy 1.8kg of rice with one Wado coin in around 710.

  

• 710

  The capital was relocated to Heijokyo.

• 712

  Oono Yasumaro finished writing the “Kojiki” (Japan’s oldest historical record).

• 715

  Empress Gensho ascended the throne.

• 720

  Nihon-shoki (the oldest chronicles of Japan) was completed.

• 724

  Emperor Shomu ascended the throne.

• 729

  Prince Nagaya was forced to commit suicide for suspicion of conspiring against the state. (Conspiracy of Prince Nagaya)

• 730

  Empress Komyo established the Seyakuin(a free hospital for poor people)within the Kogogushiki (the imperial household agency).

• 737

  A smallpox pandemic broke out, and many noblemen from key government posts died, including four brothers of the Fujiwara family.

• 740

  After the rebellion of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu in Dazaifu, the capital was relocated to Kunikyo.

• 741

  An imperial edict to establish a provincial temple monastery and nunnery in each province was issued.

• 742

  Shigaraki Palace was built.

• 744

  The capital was relocated to Naniwakyo.

• 745

  Gyoki became Daisojo (a Buddhist priest of the highest order).The capital was once relocated to Shigaraki no miya Palace, but returned to Heijokyo.

  During this period, the capital was relocated from site to site.

• 747

  The casting process of the Great Buddha began at Todaiji Temple.

• 749

  Empress Kouken ascended the throne.

• 752

  The ceremony to consecrate the Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple was held

  Vairocana Buddha in the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple
  Photograph by Takehiko Yano

  

• 754

  Jianzhen came to Japan from Tang Dynasty China to transmit Buddhist religious precepts.

• 758

  Emperor Junnin ascended the throne.

• 759

  Jianzhen founded Toshodaiji Temple.

• 764

  The rebellion of Fujiwara no Nakamaro occurred.
  Emperor Shotoku ascended the throne.
  

• 770

  Emperor Konin ascended the throne.

• 760 – 770

  During this period, the Man’yoshu (the oldest anthology of tanka)poetry, was completed.

  Nara Prefecture Complex of Man’yo Culture
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  10 Asuka, Takaichi-gun Asuka-mura, Nara Prefecture 634-0103
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• 781

  Emperor Kammu ascended the throne.

• 784

  The capital was relocated to Nagaokakyo.

• 794

  The capital was relocated to Heiankyo.

• 809

  Emperor Heizei abdicated the throne in favor of Emperor Saga and changed his residence to Heijo Palace.
  

• 810

  Retired Emperor Heizei attempted to relocate the capital to Heijokyo, but failed. (Kusuko Incident)
  

• 855

  Following an earthquake, the head of the Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple toppled to the ground,

• 861

  Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple was restored.

• 864

  During this period, roads in the old capital of Heijokyo were plowed and used as agricultural lands

• 1017

  The five-storied pagoda in Kohfukuji Temple was struck by lightening, and Tokondo Hall was burnt down in the subsequent fire. (The pagoda has been burnt down and reconstructed several times.
  

• 1180

  Taira no Shigehira and his army invaded Nara and set fire to temples including Todaiji Temple, Kohfukuji Temple and Gangoji Temple.
  

• 1185

  Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple was restored.

• 1194

  Kondo Hall in Kohfukuji Temple was restored.

• 1195

  Great Buddha Hall in Todaiji Temple was restored.

• 1333

  The Kamakura shogunate fell, and Emperor Godaigo started the restoration.

• 1336

  Ashikaga Takauji assumed the reins of government, and Emperor Godaigo evacuated to Yoshino. (Beginning of the Nanbokucho Period)

• 1392

  The Northern and Southern Courts (Nanbokucho) were integrated.

• 1567

  Matsunaga Hisahide set fire to Great Buddha Hall in Todaiji Temple.

• 1692

  Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple was restored.
  

• 1692

  The Great Buddha Hall in Todaiji Temple was restored.

• 1709

  Great Buddha Hall in Todaiji Temple was restored.

• 1852

  Kitaura Sadamasa completed . (Heijokyu Daidairi Ato Tsubowari No Zu”)
  

• 1868

  After the Meiji Restoration, an ordinance to distinguish Shinto and Buddhism was issued. As a result, many temples were destroyed, due the movement to abolish Buddhism (Haibutsu-kishaku).
  

• 1871

  (The feudal domain) system was abolished, Nara Prefecture was established. and later integrated with Sakai prefecture.
  

• 1880

  Nara Park opened.

  Nara Park

  

• 1884

  Ernest Fenollosa and Okamura Tenshin researched the Statue of Kuze Kannon in Horyuji Temple’s Yumedono Hall.

• 1887

  Nara Prefecture was reestablished.

• 1917

  Nara’s local people including Tanada Kajuro and Mizobe Bunshiro established Nara Daigokuden Preservation Society.

• 1922

  The former site of the main hall of the Chodoin government office in the Daigokuden Hall of Heijo Palace was designated as a Historic Site.
  

• 1946

  The first Exhibition of Imperial Articles’ from the Shosoin Repository was held.

• 1952

  Heijo Palace was designated as a Special Historic Site.

  Heijo Palace

  

• 1961

  The first Mokkan(a narrow strip of wood on which an official message is written) was found in Heijo Palace.

• 1988

  The Suzakumon Gate and East Palace Gardens are restored.
  “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara” that includesincluding Heijo Palace was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• 1998

  Suzakumon Gate and East Palace Garden were restored.

  Suzakumon Gate after restoration

  

  East Palace Garden after restoration

  

• 2001

  The First Daigokuden restoration project began.

• 2010

  First Daigokuden in Heijo Palace was restored.

  Main Hall of First Daigokuden after restoration