Nara Period Notes

Nara Period (710-794 CE)

• Geographic Context: The provided map highlights Japan and its surrounding regions, including:
  • Locations: Hokkaido, Sapporo, Sendai, Niigata, Kanazawa, Kanto, Chubu, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Okayama, Hiroshima, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Nara, Kobe, Osaka, Matsuyama, Kansai, Shikoku, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kyushu, Kagoshima, Okinawa.
  • Neighboring Countries/Regions: Russia (Harbin, Vladivostok), China (chun), North Korea (Pyongyang, Seoul), South Korea (Daegu, Busan).
  • bodies of water: Sea of Japan, Korea Strait, Philippine Sea.

Nara

• Key Locations within Nara:
  • Important Rivers: Akishino River, Saho River, West Horikawa River, East Horikawa River, Noto River, Iwai River.
  • Significant Temples/Sites: Saidai-ji, Sairyū-ji, Tōshōdai-ji, Yakushi-ji, Nara Palace, Hokke-ji, Tōdai-ji, Daian-ji, Kōfuku-ji, Gango-ji, Kidera.
  • Urban Layout reference points: West Market, Suzaku Oji, Rajōmon, East Market

Nihon Shoki Section

• Key Figures (translated from Japanese):
  • Mentions of imperial figures like "Emperor" and "皇子" (imperial prince/princess).
  • References to clan leaders or individuals with titles like "宿祢" (Sukune).
• Events & Actions (translated from Japanese):
  • Military actions or pacification efforts are described ("平其訕先").
  • Diplomatic exchanges or tributes to the Emperor are indicated (“失礼於贵國天皇故遣紀角宿祢羽田关代宿衿石川宿称木菟宿絲質讓其无礼状由是百淹囚鷇展斯王以謝之纪自宿称等便丟向菟為王而歸。”).
  • Construction or shipbuilding activities are commanded by the Emperor (“令諸国之海人凤山守部冬十月科伊豆國今造船長干丈叛阮成之我浮于海便輕泛疾行知馳故为其歌日枯野”).
• Place Names (translated from Japanese):
  • Mentions of specific regions or locations visited by the Emperor (“至花道野上”).
• Cultural Notes (translated from Japanese):
  • References to songs or poems (“故为其歌日枯野”).

Emperor Shomu

• A key figure of the Nara period.

Todaiji Temple Plan

• Key Structures within Todaiji Temple:
  • Daibutsu-den: Hall housing the Great Buddha.
  • Hokke-do: A hall for the Lotus Sutra.
  • Shosoin: Treasure repository.
  • Nandai-mon: Great South Gate.
  • Kaidan-in: Ordination hall.
  • Nigatsu-do: Location for the Shuni-e ceremony.
  • Senju-do
  • Chisoku-in
  • Ryūzō-in
  • Högen-in
  • Gyoki-do
  • Shō-rō (Belfry)
  • Ryūshō-in
  • Sobo (Monk's Quarters)
  • Hoju-in
  • Chujo-in
  • Jiki-do (Refectory)
  • Kanjin-so
  • Bathhouse
  • Sashizu-do
  • Kaisan-do
  • Shunjo-do
  • Sanmai-do
  • Nenbutsu-do
  • Kannon-in
  • Honbo (Abbot's Quarters)
• Other Features:
  • Sites of former East and West Pagodas
  • Tamukeyama
  • Hachiman Shrine
  • Kagami-ike
• Map Notations:
  • Dotted areas indicate the original structure.
  • Gray areas indicate existing structures.
• Scale:
  • 50-100m

Hokkedo

• Also known as the Lotus Hall, located in Todaiji Temple.

Hokkedo Cross Section

• Measurements of the cross section, showing the building's dimensions using the scale:
  • 0-10m
  • 5m

Shosoin

• Treasure repository at Todaiji Temple.

Shosoin Construction

• Depicts the construction techniques used to build the Shosoin.

Todaiji Daibutsuden

• Hall housing the Great Birushana Buddha.

Great Birushana Buddha

• The central image within the Daibutsuden at Todaiji.