The Nara Period (Nara Jidai) of ancient Japan (710-794 CE), so called because for most of that time the capital was located at Nara, then known as Heijokyo, was a short period of transition prior to the significant Heian Period. Despite the period's brevity it still managed to produce arguably the most famous works of Japanese literature ever written and some of the most important temples still in use today including at Todaiji, the largest wooden building in the world at that time, which still houses the largest bronze statue of Buddha ever made.
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Definition
Timeline
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707 - 715Reign of Empress Gemmei in Japan.
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710The Buddhist Kofukuji temple is established at Nara, main temple of the Japanese Fujiwara clan.
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710 - 784Nara is the capital of ancient Japan.
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710Date favoured by historians for the founding of the Kasuga Taisha Shinto shrine at Nara, Japan.
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710 - 794The Nara Period in ancient Japan.
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710The Japanese capital is moved from Fujiwara-kyo to Nara (aka Heijokyo).
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711The Fushimi Inari shrine, dedicated to the Shinto rice god Inari, is founded near Kyoto.
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712The Kojiki is written, a collection of oral myths forming the basis of the Shinto religion.
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713The Japanese Fudoki are composed and record local kami and associated legends.
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715 - 724Reign of Empress Gensho in Japan.
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718Yakushiji temple is relocated from Fujiwara-kyo to Nara.
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720The Nihon Shoki is written, a collection of oral myths forming the basis of the Shinto religion.
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724 - 749Reign of Emperor Shomu in Japan.
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735 - 737Japan suffers two smallpox epidemics which kills 25-35% of the population.
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740A rebellion led by the Fujiwara exile Hirotsugu is quashed by Emperor Shomu.
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747A statue of Hachiman is ceremoniously transferred from the Shinto Usa shrine to the Buddhist Todaiji shrine in Nara, Japan.
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749 - 758First reign of Empress Koken in Japan.
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751The Kaifuso anthology of Japanese poems is compiled.
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752The Buddhist Todaiji temple is founded at Nara, Japan.
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758 - 764Reign of emperor Junnin in Japan.
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c. 759The Manyoshu or 'Collection of 10,000 Leaves' is written, an important Shinto source and classic of Japanese poetry.
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764 - 770Second reign of Empress Koken, now known as Shotoku, in Japan.
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768Official founding date of the Kasuga Taisha Shinto shrine at Nara, Japan.
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770 - 781Reign of Emperor Konin in Japan.
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781 - 806Reign of Emperor Kammu in Japan.
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785Saicho establishes the first Buddhist shrine at what would become the Enryakuji temple complex on Mt. Hiei, Japan.
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794Emperor Kammu moves the Japanese capital to Heiankyo (Kyoto).
