Summary
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630
The first Japanese envoy was dispatched to Tang Dynasty China.
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694
The capital was relocated to Fujiwarakyo.
Fujiwarakyo was located in an area surrounded by the Three Mountains of Yamato.
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697
Emperor Monmu ascended the throne.
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701
The Taiho Code was enacted.
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707
Empress Genmei ascended the throne.
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708
Wado Kaiho coins were issued.
People could buy 1.8kg of rice with one Wado coin in around 710.
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710
The capital was relocated to Heijokyo.
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712
Oono Yasumaro finished writing the “Kojiki” (Japan’s oldest historical record).
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715
Empress Gensho ascended the throne.
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720
Nihon-shoki (the oldest chronicles of Japan) was completed.
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724
Emperor Shomu ascended the throne.
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729
Prince Nagaya was forced to commit suicide for suspicion of conspiring against the state. (Conspiracy of Prince Nagaya)
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730
Empress Komyo established the Seyakuin(a free hospital for poor people)within the Kogogushiki (the imperial household agency).
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737
A smallpox pandemic broke out, and many noblemen from key government posts died, including four brothers of the Fujiwara family.
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740
After the rebellion of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu in Dazaifu, the capital was relocated to Kunikyo.
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741
An imperial edict to establish a provincial temple monastery and nunnery in each province was issued.
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742
Shigaraki Palace was built.
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744
The capital was relocated to Naniwakyo.
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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.
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747
The casting process of the Great Buddha began at Todaiji Temple.
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749
Empress Kouken ascended the throne.
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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.
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758
Emperor Junnin ascended the throne.
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759
Jianzhen founded Toshodaiji Temple.
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764
The rebellion of Fujiwara no Nakamaro occurred.
Emperor Shotoku ascended the throne.
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770
Emperor Konin ascended the throne.
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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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Nara Prefecture Complex of Man’yo Culture
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781
Emperor Kammu ascended the throne.
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784
The capital was relocated to Nagaokakyo.
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794
The capital was relocated to Heiankyo.
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809
Emperor Heizei abdicated the throne in favor of Emperor Saga and changed his residence to Heijo Palace.
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810
Retired Emperor Heizei attempted to relocate the capital to Heijokyo, but failed. (Kusuko Incident)
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855
Following an earthquake, the head of the Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple toppled to the ground,
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861
Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple was restored.
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864
During this period, roads in the old capital of Heijokyo were plowed and used as agricultural lands
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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.
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1180
Taira no Shigehira and his army invaded Nara and set fire to temples including Todaiji Temple, Kohfukuji Temple and Gangoji Temple.
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1185
Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple was restored.
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1194
Kondo Hall in Kohfukuji Temple was restored.
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1195
Great Buddha Hall in Todaiji Temple was restored.
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1333
The Kamakura shogunate fell, and Emperor Godaigo started the restoration.
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1336
Ashikaga Takauji assumed the reins of government, and Emperor Godaigo evacuated to Yoshino. (Beginning of the Nanbokucho Period)
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1392
The Northern and Southern Courts (Nanbokucho) were integrated.
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1567
Matsunaga Hisahide set fire to Great Buddha Hall in Todaiji Temple.
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1692
Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple was restored.
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1692
The Great Buddha Hall in Todaiji Temple was restored.
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1709
Great Buddha Hall in Todaiji Temple was restored.
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1852
Kitaura Sadamasa completed . (Heijokyu Daidairi Ato Tsubowari No Zu”)
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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).
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1871
(The feudal domain) system was abolished, Nara Prefecture was established. and later integrated with Sakai prefecture.
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1880
Nara Park opened.
Nara Park
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1884
Ernest Fenollosa and Okamura Tenshin researched the Statue of Kuze Kannon in Horyuji Temple’s Yumedono Hall.
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1887
Nara Prefecture was reestablished.
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1917
Nara’s local people including Tanada Kajuro and Mizobe Bunshiro established Nara Daigokuden Preservation Society.
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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.
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1946
The first Exhibition of Imperial Articles’ from the Shosoin Repository was held.
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1952
Heijo Palace was designated as a Special Historic Site.
Heijo Palace
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1961
The first Mokkan(a narrow strip of wood on which an official message is written) was found in Heijo Palace.
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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
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2001
The First Daigokuden restoration project began.
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2010
First Daigokuden in Heijo Palace was restored.
Main Hall of First Daigokuden after restoration