220325 One-thousandth scale model of Heijo Kyo

Miniature Model of Heijo Palace Daigokuden

181103 Heijo Palace Daigokuden Nara Japan05n

was the

Capital of Japan The current capital of Japan is Tokyo."About Japan"
The Government of Japan. Retrieved 9 March 2022.

during most of the

Nara period The of the history of Japan covers the years from CE 710 to 794. Empress Genmei established the capital of Heijō-kyō (present-day Nara). Except for a five-year period (740–745), when the capital was briefly moved again, it remained the c ...

, from 710 to 740 and again from 745 to 784. The imperial palace is a listed

UNESCO World Heritage A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...

together with other places in the city of

Nara The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is an " independent federal agency of the United States government within the executive branch", charged with the preservation and documentation of government and historical records. It ...

(cf. Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara).

Empress Genmei , also known as Empress Genmyō, was the 43rd monarch of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 元明天皇 (43) retrieved August 22, 2013. according to the traditional order of succession. Genmei's reign spanned the years 707 throu ...

ordered the Imperial capital moved from Fujiwara-kyō to Heijō-kyō in 708, and the move to Heijō-kyō was complete in 710. Heijō-kyō was modeled after

Chang'an Chang'an (; ) is the traditional name of Xi'an. The site had been settled since Neolithic times, during which the Yangshao culture was established in Banpo, in the city's suburbs. Furthermore, in the northern vicinity of modern Xi'an, Qin S ...

, the capital of Tang-dynasty China, although Heijō-kyō lacked walls. In the city, merchants and traders from China, Korea and India introduced various foreign cultures to Heijō-kyō through the Silk Road. As a result, Heijō-kyō flourished as Japan's first international and political capital, with a peak population of between 50,000 and 100,000. The overall form of the city was an irregular rectangle, and the area of city is more than 25 km².

Architecture

In the area of Heijō-kyō, there are ancient Buddhist temples, and some temples are also listed as

together with

Heijō Palace was the imperial residence in the Japanese capital city Heijō-kyō (today's Nara), during most of the Nara period. The palace, which served as the imperial residence and the administrative centre of for most of the Nara period from 710 to 794 ...

. *

Daian-ji was founded during the Asuka period and is one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara, Japan. History The Nihon Shoki records the founding of the , predecessor of the Daian-ji, in 639 during the reign of Emperor Jomei. A nine-story pagoda was ...

(大安寺) *

Yakushi-ji is one of the most famous imperial and ancient Buddhist temples in Japan, and was once one of the Seven Great Temples of Nanto, located in Nara. The temple is the headquarters of the Hossō school of Japanese Buddhism. Yakushi-ji is one of the ...

(薬師寺) *

Kōfuku-ji is a Buddhist temple that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples in the city of Nara, Japan. The temple is the national headquarters of the Hossō school. History Kōfuku-ji has its origin as a temple that was established in 669 b ...

(興福寺) *

Gangō-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple, that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, in Nara, Japan. History The original foundation of the temple was by Soga no Umako in Asuka, as Asuka-dera. The temple was moved to Nara in 718, following ...

(元興寺) * Suzakumon (朱雀門, reconstruction) * Saidai-ji (西大寺) *

Tōdai-ji is a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, located in the city of Nara, Japan. Though it was originally founded in the year 738 CE, Tōdai-ji was not opened until the year 752 CE. The temple has undergo ...

(東大寺) * Daikokuden (大極殿, reconstruction)

1,300th anniversary

The year 2010 marked the passage of 1,300 years since the establishment of Nara Heijō-kyō. Commemorative events of the 1,300th anniversary of Nara Heijō-kyō Capital (Japanese:平城遷都1300年祭) were held in and around Nara Prefecture from April 24 to November 7, 2010. These events included special displays of

national treasure The idea of national treasure, like national epics and national anthems, is part of the language of romantic nationalism, which arose in the late 18th century and 19th centuries. Nationalism is an ideology that supports the nation as the funda ...

s and other cultural properties, walking events that explore famous places in Nara and traditional events in various places throughout Nara. * Main Event Site – Heijō-kyō Capital Area (平城宮跡) 　　　A：Entrance Plaza
　　　　　●Heijō Palace Site Tour Center
　　　　　●Corporate Participation Hall
　　　B：Heijō History Museum/Full-Scale Replica of Japanese Diplomatic Ship for Envoys to Tang China
　　　C：Suzaku Gate Plaza
　　　　　●Suzaku Gate
　　　D：Exchange Plaza
　　　　　●Mahoroba Stage
　　　　　●Exchange Hall
　　　E：Heijō Palace Site Museum
　　　F：Front Courtyard of the Former Imperial Audience Hall
　　　G：South Gate Plaza
　　　　　●Tempyo period costume rental area
　　　H：Heijō-kyō Hands-on Learning Plaza
　　　　　●Heijō-kyō Hands-on Learning Center
　　　　　●Ministry of the Imperial Household
　　　I：Excavation Site Exhibition Hall
　　　J：Eastern Palace Garden Plaza
　　　　　●Eastern Palace Garden * Other Events Site 　　　Ikaruga and Shigi-san Areas (cf.

Ikaruga is a shoot 'em up developed by Treasure. It is the spiritual sequel to ''Radiant Silvergun'' (1998) and was originally released in Japanese arcades in December 2001. The story follows a rebel pilot named Shinra as he battles an enemy nation u ...

, 斑鳩・信貴山)
　　　Asuka and Fujiwara Areas (cf.

Asuka Asuka may refer to: People * Asuka (name), a list of people * Asuka (wrestler), professional wrestler * Asuka (wrestler, born 1998), professional wrestler also known as Veny outside of Japan Places In Japan * , an area in Yamato Province (now ...

, 飛鳥・藤原)
　　　Katsuragi Area (葛城)
　　　Yoshino Area (cf.

Mount Yoshino is a mountain located in the town of Yoshino in Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, Japan that is a major religious and literary site. It is renowned for its cherry blossoms and attracts many visitors every spring, when the trees are in blossom ...

, 吉野)
　　　Yamato Kogen Plains and Uda Area (大和高原・宇陀)

References

* * Yoko Hsueh Shirai. ''Envisioning Heijokyo: 100 Questions & Answers about the Ancient Capital in Nara''. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 2011.

External links

Nara Palace Site Museum

(Available in Chinese, English, French, Korean and Japanese)

* [https://archive.today/20130218203610/http://www.takenaka.co.jp/takenaka_e/majorworks_e/topics/2010/sum/03.html Takenaka Corporation on the reconstruction of the first Daigokuden Palace rebuilt at the Special Historical Site-Designated Heijokyu Ruins] {{DEFAULTSORT:Heijo-kyo Former capitals of Japan Nara period Planned capitals Special Places of Scenic Beauty Special Historic Sites

Architecture

1,300th anniversary

See also

References

External links