Search Results: Nara Period

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...

Nara, located around 30 km south of modern Kyoto, was the capital of ancient Japan between 710 and 784 CE. It gave its name to the Nara Period (710-794 CE), although the name during the 8th century CE was Heijokyo. Modelled on the Chinese...

An eight-lobed cast bronze mirror with flowers and luan (a mythical bird) decoration. From Mount Tsuwado, Mukuno, Yamaga-machi, Kitsuki-shi, Oita, Japan. Nara Period, 8th century CE. Tokyo National Museum)

These are miniature stupas (hyakumanto). A stupa is a structure in a Buddhist temple that contains religious relics. Empress Shotoku (reigned 764-770 CE) ordered a million of these miniature wooden stupas to be made. Each one contained a...

Ancient Japan has made unique contributions to world culture which include the Shinto religion and its architecture, distinctive art objects such as haniwa figurines, the oldest pottery vessels in the world, the largest wooden buildings anywhere...

A gilded cast bronze cinerary urn from the Nara Period (710-794 CE). From Kamori, Katsuragi-shi, Nara, Japan. Important Cultural Property (Tokyo National Museum)

This forged gilt bronze bowl dates from the 8th century CE. Bowls were one of the six items that a Buddhist priest was expected to have on his person. This bowl, used for making food offerings to the Buddha, was placed on a ring-like stand...

A Japanese sanage ware jug with natural glaze. Nara Period, 8th century CE. (Tokyo National Museum)

The Heian Period of Japanese history covers 794 to 1185 CE and saw a great flourishing in Japanese culture from literature to paintings. Government and its administration came to be dominated by the Fujiwara clan who eventually were challenged...

The Asuka Period (Asuka Jidai) of ancient Japan covers the period from 538 CE to 710 CE and, following on from the Kofun Period (c. 250-538 CE), so constitutes the latter part of the Yamato Period (c. 250-710 CE). For some scholars the period...