Heijo-kyo
Encyclopedia
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
during most of the Nara period
Nara period
The of the history of Japan covers the years from AD 710 to 794. Empress Gemmei established the capital of Heijō-kyō . Except for 5 years , when the capital was briefly moved again, it remained the capital of Japanese civilization until Emperor Kammu established a new capital, Nagaoka-kyō, in 784...
, from 710–40 and again from 745–84. The Palace site
Heijo Palace
' in Nara, was the Imperial Palace of Japan , during most of the Nara period. The Palace was located in the north end of the capital city, Heijō-kyō...
is a listed UNESCO World Heritage
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
together with other places in the city of Nara
Nara, Nara
is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The city occupies the northern part of Nara Prefecture, directly bordering Kyoto Prefecture...
(cf. Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara
Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara encompasses eight places in the old capital Nara in Nara Prefecture, Japan. Five are Buddhist temples, one is a Shinto shrine, one is a Palace and one a primeval forest. The properties include 26 buildings designated by the Japanese...
).
Empress Gemmei
Empress Gemmei
, also known as Empress Genmyō, was the 43rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Gemmei's reign spanned the years 707 through 715....
ordered to move the Imperial capital from Fujiwara-kyō to Heijō-kyō in 708, so it was moved to Heijō-kyō in 710.
Heijō-kyō was modeled after Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
, the capital of Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, although Heijō-kyō lacked walls. In the city, there were many traders, merchants of China, Korea, India, and they 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 approximately 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 that some temples is also a listed UNESCO World HeritageWorld Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
together with Heijō Palace
Heijo Palace
' in Nara, was the Imperial Palace of Japan , during most of the Nara period. The Palace was located in the north end of the capital city, Heijō-kyō...
.
- Daian-jiDaian-jiwas 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 added shortly afterwards...
(大安寺) - Yakushi-jiYakushi-jiis one of the most famous imperial and ancient Buddhist temples in Japan, located in Nara. The temple is the headquarters of the Hossō school of Japanese Buddhism...
(薬師寺) - Kōfuku-jiKofuku-jiis a Buddhist temple in the city of Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The temple is the national headquarters of the Hossō school and is one of the eight Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.-History:...
(興福寺) - Gangō-jiGango-jiis an ancient Buddhist temple, that was once one of the powerful Nanto Shichi Daiji, in Nara, Japan.-History:The original foundation of the temple was by Soga no Umako in Asuka, as Asuka-dera...
(元興寺) - Suzakumon (朱雀門, reconstruction)
- Saidai-jiSaidai-jiSaidai-ji or the "Great Western Temple" is a Buddhist temple in the city of Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The temple was established in AD 765 as a counterpart to Tōdai-ji and it is the main temple of the Shingon Risshu sect of Buddhism after the sect's founder, Eison, took over administration in...
(西大寺) - Tōdai-jiTodai-ji, is a Buddhist temple complex located in the city of Nara, Japan. Its Great Buddha Hall , the largest wooden building in the world, houses the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese simply as Daibutsu . The temple also serves as the Japanese headquarters of the ...
(東大寺) - Daikokuden (大極殿, reconstruction)
1300th anniversary
The year 2010 marked the passage of 1300 years since the establishment of Nara Heijō-kyō. Commemorative events of the 1300th 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 treasureNational 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 which supports the nation as the fundamental unit of human social life, which includes shared...
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 AreaHeijo Palace' in Nara, was the Imperial Palace of Japan , during most of the Nara period. The Palace was located in the north end of the capital city, Heijō-kyō...
(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
●Tenpyo 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 Shigisan Areas (cf. Ikaruga
Ikaruga, Nara
is a town located in Ikoma District, Nara, Japan.Ikaruga is home to Hōryū-ji and Hokki-ji, ancient Buddhist temples collectively inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage. Other ancient temples include Hōrin-ji, also in the vicinity of Hōryū-ji....
, 斑鳩・信貴山)
Asuka and Fujiwara Areas (cf. Asuka
Asuka, Yamato
was one of the Imperial capitals of Japan during the Asuka period , which takes its name from this place. It is located in the present-day village of Asuka, Nara Prefecture....
, 飛鳥・藤原)
Katsuragi Area (葛城)
Yoshino Area (cf. Mount Yoshino
Mount Yoshino
is a mountain located in the town of Yoshino in Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, Japan. In 2004, It was designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range....
, 吉野)
Yamato Kogen Plains and Uda Area (大和高原・宇陀)
See also
- List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments
- Heijō PalaceHeijo Palace' in Nara, was the Imperial Palace of Japan , during most of the Nara period. The Palace was located in the north end of the capital city, Heijō-kyō...
- Imperial palace - Historic Monuments of Ancient NaraHistoric Monuments of Ancient NaraThe UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara encompasses eight places in the old capital Nara in Nara Prefecture, Japan. Five are Buddhist temples, one is a Shinto shrine, one is a Palace and one a primeval forest. The properties include 26 buildings designated by the Japanese...
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
External links
- The Commemorative Events for the 1300th Anniversary (Available in Chinese, English, French, Korean and Japanese)
- Jô-Bô System of Heijô-Kyô
- Nara (Heijô-kyô) — The Capital of Japan in the 8th Century