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Nara Japan

INTRODUCTION

The city of Nara, capital of the Nara Prefecture in southern Japan, is one of the oldest and most visited cities in Japan. The former capital preserves countless historic sites, many of which are protected as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As the capital city, Nara was the center of Japanese life until 784, when the capital was moved to Nagaoka-kyo before finally settling at Kyoto in 794.

HISTORY

Founded as Heijo-kyo, Japan’s former capital was modeled after the Chinese city of Chang'an, to be the political and cultural center of the nation. The future city began as a small village sometime around the second century, based at the foot of Mount Miwa. The warriors of the region began seeking dominance, attempting to unify all of Japan.

By the seventh century, the nearby city of Fujiwara-kyo (now present day Kashihara) had grown from a small settlement to the country‘s first real capital, to be used as a base for the reigning emperors.

In 710, the Imperial family brought the capital to Heijo-kyo (present day Nara). The family assumed control over Heijo Palace, which became the Imperial Palace for the remainder of the Nara period. That same year the now legendary temple of Kofuku-ji was moved to the city. Kofuku-ji is now one of the seven major temples known as Nanto Shichi Daiji.

According to the Chinese system upon which the city of Nara was developed, the palace was built in the north, and several government offices were constructed, but only the foundations of these remain. The city also adopted the Chinese system of aligning streets in a grid pattern, an idea brought back to Nara by several Japanese students visiting China’s Tang rulers.

Also following Chinese traditions, the Nara government began extensive efforts to develop detailed records of Japanese history. The result was an unprecedented growth in literary arts. Several important political works were written, seeking to establish Imperial supremacy, including the Nihon Shoki, or the Chronicles of Japan, dating to 720.

The age also gave the nation the poetry known as Waka. The first records of Japan’s history, as well as several literary anthologies, date to the Nara literary revolution.

In an effort to increase wealth, the first coins were minted, but these took some time to become popular. Land ownership was restructured, adopting the roots of the feudal system.

In 740, the capital was briefly moved to the Kuni Palace in the future capital of Kyoto, but would return after only five years.

In 741, the Emperor began a long tradition of establishing provincial temples, and the growth of Japanese religious traditions began to gain momentum.

This cultural growth was enhanced by the arrival of immigrants from mainland Asia, who brought with them the wonders of Buddhism. The traditions of Buddhism gained the favor of the Imperial family, and became a permanent fixture of Japanese culture. The emergence of Buddhism led Empress Shotoku to commission one million Buddhist prayer charms.

Many still exist, and are among the oldest (earliest) printed works in world history.

In 743, the foundations were laid for the massive temple complex Todai-ji, one of the Nanto Shichi Daiji. The temple has undergone extensive reconstruction over the centuries, with

the main building last renovated in the early 1700s. Todai-ji is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That year saw the beginning of the construction of the Great Buddha of Nara, which would not be completed until 752. One hundred years later, the head of the Great Buddha would inexplicably fall to the ground, but the statue would be repaired by donations from the Buddhist community.

The now historic Kasuga Shrine was founded in 768 as a shrine for the Fujiwara family. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is known formany important features, including one thousand stone lanterns lighting the path to the temple.

In 784, the capital moved to Nagaoka-kyo, and the Imperial Palace was abandoned. Most of the government offices were lost to time. The temples of Nara remained a powerful influence, however, and the city remained strong.

Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji were damaged by fires set by the Taira clan, hoping to reduce the power held by the temples, and many treasures were lost but the temples were quickly restored.

Prosperity continued to grow during the reign of the Minamoto Shogunate, and the temples regained much of their lost glory. Towards the end of Minamoto rule, however, the city was drawn into hostilities between the shogunate and Imperial forces. Over time the prominent temples would lose influence to the growing Samurai class.

Nara would experience great conflict during the Sengoku period, and many historic sites were destroyed. By the Edo period, when Japan entered a long ear of peace, the city came under the direct rule of the Tokugawa clan, the most powerful samurai family in the nation.

The rise of the merchant class during the Edo era proved the salvation of the city. Strong ties were made with near by Osaka, then the commercial capital. The ties would last into the modern age, as many residents of Nara commute to Osaka to work or gain education.

In 1898, Nara officially became a city.

In 1908, Nara made history with the opening of the Nara Women’s University, originally intended to train women as school teachers.

In 1910, Nara founded a railway organization that led to the development of a rail line between Nara and Osaka (which opened in 1914). Today, the Kintetsu Line connects the city of Nara with Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Ise, and Gifu.

In 1952, Nara received designation as a special historic site, and excavations began in the area surrounding the former Imperial palace buildings. Several well preserved subterranean rooms were uncovered, and a few select buildings were reconstructed.

In 1993, the Suzakumon (the main southern gate to the Imperial Palaces) of the Nara Imperial Palace was reconstructed at great effort and expense.

Modern Nara has regained some measure of political prominence as the prefectural capital. Commerce continues to grow but with a population of less than 400,000 in the new millennium, the city remains heavily dependant on the prosperous Osaka. However, dur to the long history and maintenance of important cultural and historic sites, Nara is experiencing a growing tourism industry.

There are plenty more things to see and do in ancient Nara.

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