Heijō-kyō

Quick Facts: Who was Heijō-kyō?

Subject:

Heijō-kyō

Known for:

The historical capital of Japan during the Nara period (710–784 AD).

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Heijō-kyō (平城京; also Heizei-kyō, sometimes Nara no miyako) was the Capital of Japan during most of the Nara period, from 710 to 740 and again from 745 to 784. The imperial palace is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site together with other places in the city of Nara (cf. Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara). Empress Genmei 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, 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.

Career & Major Achievements

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 the city was more than 25 km2. The Heijō-kyō Suzaku-ōji (平城京朱雀大路跡), the central street of Heijō-kyō, was located between Nijō-ōji Minami and Sanjō-ōji in modern Nara city. In 1984, the 220-meter stretch from the Heijō-kyō ruins to Ōmiya-dōri to the south was designated as a National Historic Site. The avenue, which stretched 3.7 kilometer from north to south, from the Rajōmon Gate, the main entrance to Heijō-kyō in the south, to the Suzakumon Gate, the main gate on the south side of the palace complex, was designed not only to function as a road, but also to accommodate the passage of foreign envoys, and its size and the surrounding streetscape were designed to be spectacular.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Excavations conducted since 1974 have clarified the route of the street, and it has been revealed that the width is about 74 meters between the centers of the east-and-west side gutters, and that the distance between the east and west embankments in Sanjō is about 85 meters. The remains of a previous 23 meter wide road were also discovered below the Nara period road. In 2010, a portion of the Heijō-kyō Suzaku-ōji, measuring 70 meters wide and 210 meters long, was restored from the south side of Suzakumon Gate. In the area of Heijō-kyō, there are ancient Buddhist temples, and some temples are also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Heijō Palace. Daian-ji (大安寺) Daigokuden (大極殿, reconstruction) Gangō-ji (元興寺) Kōfuku-ji (興福寺) Saidai-ji (西大寺) Suzakumon (朱雀門, reconstruction) Tōdai-ji (東大寺) Yakushi-ji (薬師寺) The year 2010 marked the passage of 1,300 years since the establishment of Nara Heijō-kyō.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1974: 1974 Milestone — Excavations conducted since 1974 have clarified the route of the street, and it has been revealed that the width is about 74 meters between the centers of the east-and-west side gutters, and that the distance between the east and west embankments in Sanjō is about 85 meters.
2. 1984: 1984 Milestone — In 1984, the 220-meter stretch from the Heijō-kyō ruins to Ōmiya-dōri to the south was designated as a National Historic Site.
3. 2010: 2010 Milestone — In 2010, a portion of the Heijō-kyō Suzaku-ōji, measuring 70 meters wide and 210 meters long, was restored from the south side of Suzakumon Gate.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Heijō-kyō

True or False: “Heijō-kyō was entirely surrounded by defensive walls, similar to Tang Dynasty Chang'an.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text explicitly states that Heijō-kyō lacked walls, despite being modeled after the walled capital of Tang China.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Heijō-kyō