Wiki Category: Nara Period
All Pages on our site linked to the Nara Period.
Be sure to subscribe to our Podcast: Japan Archives. A weekly podcast into bite sized pieces of Japanese History.
If you want to help out our website let us known through our Contact Us page. We are a small team and any help from people who love Japanese history would only help to make this website expand even quicker than we are doing now.
Thank you for visiting our website, we try our best to make a useful website for all history enthusiasts and we hope you will recommend our site to others and come back again and again to learn more of Japanese History.
Again this is a page which links to pages relating to the Nara Period.
Fujiwara no Yoshiyo
Fujiwara no YoshiyoPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu (father) Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (brother) Fujiwara no Junshi (sister) Fujiwara no Nagara (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshisuke (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshikado (brother) Fujiwara no Koshi (sister) Birth: – Death: – Fujiwara no Yoshiyo Fujiwara no Yoshiyo (藤原 良世) was a member of the[...]
Fujiwara no Koshi
Fujiwara no KoshiFujiwara no Koshi can refer to two people of the same name. Daughter of Fuyutsugu Period: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu (father) Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (brother) Fujiwara no Junshi (sister) Fujiwara no Nagara (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshisuke (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshikado (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshiyo (brother) Birth: –[...]
Fujiwara no Torikai
Fujiwara no TorikaiPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Fusasaki (father) Fujiwara no Nagate (brother) Fujiwara no Matate (brother) Fujiwara no Kiyokawa (brother) Fujiwara no Uona (brother) Fujiwara no Oguromaro (son) Birth: – Death: – Fujiwara no Torikai Fujiwara no Torikai (藤原 鳥養) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically[...]
Tōtōmi Province
Tōtōmi ProvinceSee also: List of Provinces Tōtōmi Province Tōtōmi Province (遠江国) was one of the many provinces of Japan. Nara Period We see Haji no Sukune Furuhito made Lieutenant Governor of this province one month after recieving the rank of junior fifth rank, lower grade.1 Footnotes 1. Borgen, R. (1975) “The[...]
Kazusa Province
Kazusa ProvinceSee also: List of Provinces Kazusa Province Kazusa Province (上総国) was one of the many provinces of Japan. Legendary Period Emperor Keikō visits here when he wished to see the lands subdued by Yamato Takeru.3 Nara Period In 738AD we see Haji no Ushikatsu mentioned as lieutenant Governor of this[...]
Shinano Province
Shinano ProvinceSee also: List of Provinces Shinano Province Shinano Province (信濃国) was one of the many provinces of Japan. Folktales The folktale The Clever Boar and Monkey is set in this province.5 Legenedary Period Yamanobe no Ohotaka passed through here on his way to catch a swan for the Prince Homutsuwake.4[...]
Dewa Province
Dewa ProvinceSee also: List of Provinces Dewa Province Dewa Province (出羽国) was one of the many provinces of Japan. Nara Period The Nara Period fortess called Akitajō (秋田城) was establised here in 733 as an aide to subjugating the Ezo People. It was used between the 8th and 10th centuries before[...]
Mikawa Province
Mikawa ProvinceSee also: Provinces Mikawa Province Mikawa Province (三河国) was one of the many provinces of Japan. Nara Period Priest Manzei was made General of Owari, Mikawa and Shinano Provinces.1 Azuchi-Momoyama Period Takeda Katsuyori invade the province, going against Tokugawa Ieyasu,2 however here he was routed by Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga[...]
Fujiwara no Tsuneyoshi
Fujiwara no TsuneyoshiPeriod: Nara Period? Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Tadabumi (son) Birth: – Death: – Fujiwara no Tsuneyoshi Fujiwara no Tsuneyoshi was a member of the Fujiwara Clan. He is known to have been the father of Fujiwara no Tadabumi.1 Footnotes 1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University[...]
Fujiwara no Tadabumi
Fujiwara no TadabumiPeriod: Nara Period / Heian Period Occupation: General of the Imperial Troops, sei-i-tai-shōgun Family: Fujiwara no Tsuneyoshi (father) Birth: 873AD Death: 947AD Fujiwara no Tadabumi Fujiwara no Tadabumi (藤原 忠文) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, living from 873-947, he was the son of Fujiwara no Tsuneyoshi. He was also[...]
Fujiwara no Yoshikado
Fujiwara no YoshikadoPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Dajō daijin Family: Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu (father) Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (brother) Fujiwara no Junshi (sister) Fujiwara no Nagara (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshisuke (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshiyo (brother) Fujiwara no Koshi (sister) Fujiwara no Takafuji (son) Fujiwara no Toshimoto (son) Birth: 8th Century Death: – Fujiwara no Yoshikado Fujiwara no[...]
Fujiwara no Yoshino
Fujiwara no YoshinoPeriod: Nara Period / Heian Period Occupation: Historian Family: – Birth: 786AD Death: 848AD Fujiwara no Yoshino Fujiwara no Yoshino (藤原 吉野) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan living from 786-848AD. He ws known to have been a historian and compiler of the Nihon-kōki.1 Footnotes 1. Louis Frederic, translated[...]
Fujiwara no Otomuro
Fujiwara no OtomuroPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu (father) Emperor Kanmu (husband) Birth: 760AD Death: 790AD Fujiwara no Otomuro Fujiwara no Otomuro (藤原 乙牟漏) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Shikike Branch of this clan, living from 760-790. She was the daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu[...]
Fujiwara no Oguromaro
Fujiwara no OguromaroPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Commander of Imperial Army, dainagon Family: Fujiwara no Torikai (father) Fujiwara no Kadanomaro (son) Birth: 733AD Death: 794AD Fujiwara no Oguromaro Fujiwara no Oguromaro (藤原 小黒麻呂) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan. He lived from 733-7941, was the son[...]
Priest Genbō
Priest GenbōPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Buddhist Monk, sōjō Family: – Birth: – Death: 746AD Priest Genbō Priest Genbō (玄昉) was a Buddhist Priest and court official known to have died on 746AD. In 717 he was sent to China alongside Abe no Nakamaro and Kibi no Makibi where he studied the[...]
Kibi no Makibi
Kibi no MakibiPeriod: Asuka Period, Nara Period Occupation: Scholar, udajin Family: – Birth: 695AD Death:775AD Kibi no Makibi Kibi no Makibi (吉備 朝臣 真備) was a scholar, born into a powerful family in the Kibi Region, who lived from 695-775AD. In his lifetime he was well versed in confucian classics, as well[...]
Man’yōshū
Man’yōshūMan’yōshū The Man’yōshū (万葉集) is an important literary collection of Japanese poetry. Surviving Examples The oldest surviving example of this document is known as the katsura-bon (桂本) which dates to the mid-Heian period.1 Compilation It is generally unknown how the entire piece was compiled, though the Japanese at this time[...]
Kasa Kanamura
Kasa KanamuraPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Poet, Ason Family: – Birth: – Death:- Kasa Kanamura Kasa Kanamura (笠 [朝臣] 金村) is a known poet who had several poems in the Man’yōshū. He is known to have been active fl.715-733 and his poetry has been ranked as that of the same class as[...]
Priest Manzei
Priest ManzeiSee also: Priest Manzei Poems Period: Nara Period Occupation: Governor of Mino, General of Owari, Mikawa and Shinano, Udaiben, Buddhist Monk (sami), bettō, Poet Family: – Birth: – Death:- Priest Manzei Priest Manzei (満誓 沙弥 – He Who Fulfills the Vow/Compleat Votary) was the religous name of Kasa Maro (笠[朝臣][...]
Uji
UjiUji See also: Court Titles, Imperial Titles, Provincial Titles, Be, Sesshō and Kampaku The Uji (氏) were kinship groups, also at times known as shisei.2 The origins of the title appear to be of korean linguistical descent and not a native term developed in Japan.3 Before the Nara Period they[...]
Fujiwara no Uchimaro
Fujiwara no UchimaroPeriod: Nara Period / Heian Period Occupation: Minister Family: Fujiwara no Matate (father) Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu (son) Fujiwara no Manatsu (son) Fujiwara no Onatsu (daughter) Birth: 756AD Death: 812AD Fujiwara no Uchimaro Fujiwara no Uchimaro (藤原 内麻呂) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan.[...]
Fujiwara no Kiyokawa
Fujiwara no KiyokawaPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Fusasaki (father) Fujiwara no Matate (brother) Fujiwara no Nagate (brother) Fujiwara no Torikai (brother) Fujiwara no Uona (brother) irth: c.706 Death: c.779 Fujiwara no Kiyokawa Fujiwara no Kiyokawa (藤原 清河) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan.[...]
Fujiwara no Nagate
Fujiwara no NagatePeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Sadaijin Family: Fujiwara no Fusasaki (father) Fujiwara no Matate (brother) Fujiwara no Kiyokawa (brother) Fujiwara no Torikai (brother) Fujiwara no Uona (brother) irth: 714AD Death: 771AD Fujiwara no Nagate Fujiwara no Nagate (藤原 永手) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan.[...]
Fujiwara no Nakanari
Fujiwara no NakanariPeriod: Nara Period / Heian Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Tanetsugu (father) Fujiwara no Kusuko (sister) Birth: 774AD Death: 810AD Fujiwara no Nakanari Fujiwara no Nakanari (藤原 仲成) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Shikike Branch of this clan. Living from 774-810AD he was the[...]
Fujiwara no Tanetsugu
Fujiwara no TanetsuguPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Coutier Family: Fujiwara no Kiyonari (father) Fujiwara no Nakanari (son) Fujiwara no Kusuko (daughter) Birth: 737AD Death: 785AD Fujiwara no Tanetsugu Fujiwara no Tanetsugu (藤原 種継) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Shikike Branch of this clan. He was a courtier living from[...]
Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu
Fujiwara no YoshitsuguPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: naidaijin Family: Fujiwara no Umakai (father) Fujiwara no Tanetsugu (son?) Fujiwara no Otomuro (daughter) Fujiwara no Momokawa (brother) Fujiwara no Hirotsugu (brother) Fujiwara no Kiyonari (brother) Fujiwara no Kurajimaro (brother) Birth: 716AD Death: 777AD Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu (藤原 良継) was a member of the[...]
Fujiwara no Otsugu
Fujiwara no OtsuguPeriod: Nara Period / Heian Period Occupation: Udajin, Sadaijin Family: Fujiwara no Momokawa (father) Fujiwara no Tabiko (sister) Birth: 773 Death: 843 Fujiwara no Otsugu Fujiwara no Otsugu (藤原 緒嗣) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Shikike Branch of this clan. Living from 773-843 he was the[...]
Fujiwara no Umakai
Fujiwara no UmakaiPeriod: Asuka Period / Nara Period Occupation: shikibu-kyō Family: Fujiwara no Fubito (father) Fujiwara no Momokawa (son) Fujiwara no Hirotsugu (son) Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu (son) Fujiwara no Kiyonari (son) Fujiwara no Kurajimaro (son) Fujiwara no Miyako (sister) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (sister) Fujiwara no Fusasaki (brother) Fujiwara no Muchimaro (brother) Fujiwara[...]
Fujiwara no Korekimi
Fujiwara no KorekimiPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Otomaro (father) Birth: – Death: – Fujiwara no Korekimi Fujiwara no Korekimi was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Nanke Branch of this clan. He was the son of Fujiwara no Otomaro.1 Footnotes 1. Brinkley, F. (1915) “A History of[...]
Fujiwara no Otomaro
Fujiwara no OtomaroPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Family: Fujiwara no Muchimaro (father) Fujiwara no Korekimi (son) Fujiwara no Nakamaro (brother) Fujiwara no Toyonari (brother) Fujiwara no Kosemaro (brother) Fujiwara no Sadatsugu (brother) irth: – Death: – Fujiwara no Otomaro Fujiwara no Otomaro (藤原 乙麻呂) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Nanke[...]
Fujiwara no Tsuginawa
Fujiwara no TsuginawaPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: sei-i-tai-shōgun, Udajin Family: Fujiwara no Toyonari (father) Fujiwara no Otoaki (son) Birth: 727AD Death: 796AD Fujiwara no Tsuginawa Fujiwara no Tsuginawa (藤原 継縄) (also known as Fujiwara no Tsugutada2) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Nanke Branch of this clan. He is also[...]
Fujiwara no Toyonari
Fujiwara no ToyonariPeriod: Asuka Period / Nara Period Occupation: Minister. Statesman Family: Fujiwara no Muchimaro (father) Fujiwara no Nakamaro (brother) Fujiwara no Otomaro (brother) Fujiwara no Kosemaro (brother) Fujiwara no Sadatsugu (brother) Fujiwara no Tsuginawa (son) Chūjō-hime (daughter) Birth: 704AD Death: 765AD Fujiwara no Toyonari Fujiwara no Toyonari (藤原 豊成) was a member of the[...]
Fujiwara no Muchimaro
Fujiwara no MuchimaroPeriod: Asuka Period / Nara Period Occupation: Udajin, Sadaijin Family: Fujiwara no Fubito (father) Fujiwara no Miyako (sister) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (sister) Fujiwara no Fusasaki (brother) Fujiwara no Umakai (brother) Fujiwara no Maro (brother) Fujiwara no Toyonari (son) Fujiwara no Nakamaro (son) Fujiwara no Otomaro (son) Fujiwara no Kosemaro (son)[...]
Fujiwara no Momokawa
Fujiwara no MomokawaPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Minister Family: Fujiwara no Umakai (father) Fujiwara no Otsugu (son) Fujiwara no Tabiko (daughter) Fujiwara no Hirotsugu (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu (brother) Fujiwara no Kiyonari (brother) Fujiwara no Kurajimaro (brother) Birth: 734 Death: 779 Fujiwara no Momokawa Fujiwara no Momokawa (藤原 百川) was a member of[...]
Fujiwara no Kurajimaro
Fujiwara no KurajimaroPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Statesman / Hyōbu-kyō / Sangi Family: Fujiwara no Umakai (father) Fujiwara no Momokawa (brother) Fujiwara no Hirotsugu (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu (brother) Fujiwara no Kiyonari (brother) Birth: 734AD Death: 775AD Fujiwara no Kurajimaro Fujiwara no Kurajimaro (藤原 蔵下麻呂) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan living[...]
Fujiwara no Kadanomaro
Fujiwara no KadanomaroPeriod: Nara Period / Heian Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Oguromaro (father) Birth: – Death: – Fujiwara no Kadanomaro Fujiwara no Kadanomaro (藤原 葛野麻呂) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan living around the late 8th and early 9th century. He was the son of Fujiwara no Oguromaro. In[...]
Emperor Kanmu
Emperor KanmuReign: 781-806AD Period: Nara Period / Heian Period Family: Burial Place: Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Kōnin * Successor Emperor Heizei Emperor Kanmu Emperor Kanmu (桓武天皇) was the 50th Emperor of Japan enthroned in the 4th month of 781AD. Prior to his reign it is said that Haji no Sukune[...]
Haji no Ushikatsu
Haji no UshikatsuPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Lieutenant Governor of Kazusa Province Family: Haji Clan Birth: Death: Haji no Ushikatsu Haji no Ushikatsu (土師 牛勝) was a member of the Haji Clan who we see mentioned as Lieutenant Governor of Kazusa Province in 738AD. In 745 we see him in the capital with[...]
Haji Clan
Haji ClanFirst Ruler: Nomi no Sukune (dubious) Final Ruler: – Dissolution: – Cadet Branches: Sugawara Clan, Akishino Clan, Ōe Clan, Niehaji. For a full list of Clans: See Japanese Clans. Haji Clan The Haji Clan (土師氏) was a Japanese clan which claimed descent from the Shinto kami Amenohohi in the 12[...]
Haji no Mimichi
Haji no MimichiSee also: Haji no Mimichi Poems Period: Nara Period Occupation: Poet Family: Sugawara no Michizane (descendant) Birth: Death: Haji no Mimichi Haji no Mimichi (土師 水通 / 土師 御通) was a member of the Haji Clan living during the Nara Period. In the Haji Clan he is seen as the[...]
Fujiwara no Hirotsugu
Fujiwara no HirotsuguPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Umakai (father) Fujiwara no Momokawa (brother) Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu (brother) Fujiwara no Kiyonari (brother) Fujiwara no Kurajimaro (brother) Birth: 715 Death: 740AD Fujiwara no Hirotsugu Fujiwara no Hirotsugu (藤原 広嗣) was a member of the Fujwiara Clan, and leader of the Shikike Branch,[...]
Fujiwara no Hamanari
Fujiwara no HamanariPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Dazai no Sōtsu Family: Fujiwara no Maro (father) Fujiwara no Toyohiko (son) Fujiwara no Okikaze (great-grandson) Birth: 724AD Death: 790AD Fujiwara no Hamanari Fujiwara no Hamanari (藤原 浜成) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Kyōke branch, living from 724-790AD.1 In 781 he recieved[...]
Fujiwara no Fusasaki
Fujiwara no FusasakiPeriod: Asuka Period / Nara Period Occupation: Family: Fujiwara no Fubito (father) Fujiwara no Nagate (son) Fujiwara no Matate (son) Fujiwara no Kiyokawa (son) Fujiwara no Torikai (son) Fujiwara no Uona (son) Fujiwara no Miyako (sister) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (sister) Fujiwara no Muchimaro (brother) Fujiwara no Umakai (brother) Fujiwara no[...]
Izumo no Omi Hiroshima
Izumo no Omi HiroshimaPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: – Birth: – Death: – Izumo no Omi Hiroshima Izumo no Omi Hiroshima (出雲臣廣嶋) was one of the two compilers of the Izumo Fudoki. He was kuni no miyatsuko of Izumo Province, and district leader (dairyō) of the Ou District.1 Footnotes 1. Carlqvist, A.[...]
Miyake no Omi Kanatari
Miyake no Omi KanatariPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: – Birth: – Death: – Miyake no Omi Kanatari Miyake no Omi Kanatari (神宅臣金太理) was one of the two compilers of the Izumo Fudoki. It is likely he was well versed in Chinese classical literature from the style of Fudoki. He was a local[...]
Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu
Fujiwara no FuyutsuguPeriod: Nara Period, Heian Period Occupation: sadaijin, poet Family: Fujiwara no Uchimaro (father) Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (son) Fujiwara no Junshi (daughter) Fujiwara no Nagara (son) Fujiwara no Yoshisuke (son) Fujiwara no Yoshikado (son) Fujiwara no Koshi (daughter) Fujiwara no Yoshiyo (son) Fujiwara no Manatsu (brother) Fujiwara no Onatsu (sister) Birth: 775AD Death:[...]
Ōtomo no Tabito
Ōtomo no TabitoPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Poet, , Chūnagon, Dainagon Family: Ōtomo no Yakamochi (son) Sakanoue no Iratsume (half-sister) Birth: 665 Death: 731 Ōtomo no Tabito Ōtomo no Tabito (大伴 旅人) was a member of the Ōtomo Clan, living from 665-731. Family He was father to Ōtomo no Yakamochi and half-brother to[...]
Ōtomo no Sukunamaro
Ōtomo no SukunamaroPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Sakanoue no Iratsume (half-sister/wife) Birth: – Death: – Ōtomo no Sukunamaro Ōtomo no Sukunamaro lived during the Nara Period. Though he was the older half brother of Sakanoue no Iratsume, they married one another and had two daughters together.1 Footnotes 1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An[...]
Fujiwara no Maro
Fujiwara no MaroPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Fubito (father) Sakanoue no Iratsume (wife) Fujiwara no Hamanari (son) Fujiwara no Miyako (sister) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (sister) Fujiwara no Fusasaki (brother) Fujiwara no Umakai (brother) Fujiwara no Muchimaro (brother) Birth: 695 Death: 737 Fujiwara no Maro Fujiwara no Maro (藤原 麻呂) was the son[...]
Sakanoue no Iratsume
Sakanoue no IratsumePeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Poet Family: Ōtomo no Tabito (half-brother) Ōtomo no Sukunamaro (half-brother) Ōtomo no Yakamochi (nephew) Birth: – Death: – Sakanoue no Iratsume Sakanoue no Iratsume (大伴坂上 郎女) was the female head of the Ōtomo Clan active from 728 to 746AD.2 During her life she was the favourite[...]
Ōtomo no Yakamochi
Ōtomo no YakamochiPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Waka Poet, Minister of Military Affairs, Governor of Etchū Province Family: Ōtomo no Tabito (father) Sakanoue no Iratsume (aunt) Ōiratsume (cousin and wife) Birth: 718? Death: 785 Ōtomo no Yakamochi Ōtomo no Yakamochi (大伴 家持) was a Poet who lived from perhaps 718 until 7851. Family[...]
Akitajō
AkitajōAkitajō Akitajō (秋田城) was a Nara Period fortress established in 733 as a way to aide in subjugating the Ezo People.12 Constructed in Dewa Province it was used between the 8th and 10th Centuries until it was abandoned and replaced with a new one close by. The only remains surviving[...]
Ono no Minemori
Ono no MinemoriPeriod: Nara Period, Heian Period Occupation: Poet Family: – Birth: 770/778 Death: 830 Ono no Minemori Ono no Minemori (小野 岑守) is known to have been a poet who lived from around 770/778 until 830. He wrote his poetry in Chinese and is the compiled of a poetry collection known[...]
Ohajiki
OhajikiSee also: Japanese Games Ohajiki Ohajiki (おはじき) is a japanese childrens game which can be played using coins, shells or even coin-shaped glass pieces. The origin of the games name comes from from the verb hajiku ‘to flick.’ The game is said to have derived from a Chinese game called[...]
Fujiwara no Uona
Fujiwara no UonaPeriod: – Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Fusasaki (father) Fujiwara no Nagate (brother) Fujiwara no Matate (brother) Fujiwara no Kiyokawa (brother) Fujiwara no Torikai (brother) Birth: – Death: – Fujiwara no Uona Fujiwara no Uona (藤原 魚名) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan.1[...]
Izumo Province
Izumo ProvinceSee also: List of Provinces Izumo Province Izumo Province (出雲国), also known as Unshū (雲州), was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Shimane Prefecture.1 It formed one of the eight Provinces of the San’indō.12 The Province was formed of several districts, two known as Ou and[...]
Chinjufu-shōgun
Chinjufu-shōgunChinjufu-shōgun The Chinjufu-shōgun (鎮守府将軍) was a military position or district for the ‘pacification of defence of Japan.’ This position was overseen by a sei-i-tai-shōgun. Created during the Nara Period it was centred in Northern Honshu to fight Ezo tribes there, located originally at Tagajō. Later, in 801 it was moved[...]
Sarumaru Taifu
Sarumaru TaifuSee also: Sarumaru Taifu Poems Period: Nara Period Occupation: Waka Poet Family: – Birth: ? (Active during mid 8th Century?) Sarumaru Taifu Sarumaru Taifu, also called Sarumaru Dayu (猿丸大夫) lived during the mid 8th century, or so we believe. This poet may in fact have never existed in the first place[...]
Yamashiro Province
Yamashiro ProvinceSee also: List of Provinces Yamashiro Province Yamashiro Province (山城国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Kyoto Prefecture.1 The Shinsen Shōjiroku shows the Haji Clan dwelt in this province amongst others.3 Inception One of the 5 central (kinai) provinces, established under the Kokugun System in 646AD,[...]
Mon
MonMon Mon (紋), also known as monshō (紋章)1 were in essence family crests of Japanese families. Design The crests are almost always created monochromatically1, and are stylised designs in a circle or geometric pattern.2 Origins Many of the first depictions were merely elaborate patterns dating back to the Nara and[...]
Yamabe no Akahito
Yamabe no AkahitoPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Waka Poet, Courtier, Bureaucrat, Ason Family: – Birth: 1st half 8th century Death: – Yamabe no Akahito Yamabe no Akahito (山部 赤人 / 山邊 赤人) lived during the first half of the 8th century. During his life he acted as a courtier as well as bureaucrat[...]
Mino Province
Mino ProvinceSee also: List of Provinces Mino Province Mino Province (美濃国) also known as Nōshū (濃州) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Gifu Prefecture. It is included as one of the eight Provinces which made up the Tōsandō Region. It is well known for its Mino[...]
Nara Prefecture
Nara PrefectureCo-ordinates: 34°34′N 135°46′E Island: Honshu Region: Kansai Capital: Nara See also: Yamato Province See also: List of Prefectures. Nara Prefecture Nara Prefecture (奈良県 – Nara-ken) is located on the island of Honshu. As a land-locked Prefecture it is bordered on all sides. Kyoto Prefecture to the North, Mie to the West, Wakayama on[...]
Yamanoue no Okura
Yamanoue no OkuraPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Waka Poet, Governor Family: – Birth: – Death: 733AD? Yamanoue no Okura Yamanoue no Okura (山上 憶良) was a waka poet and lived during the Nara period. He is said to have died at the age of 74 in 733AD1, and inspired Ōtomo no Tabito to persue his[...]
Saku
SakuSaku A Saku (柵 – also pronounced ki) is a type of stockade or palisade constructed in frontier regions. Notably, most were constructed between the 7th and 9th centuries in northern Honshu to defend against the northern Ezo People, as well as to provide administration to the surrounding areas. Known[...]
Dōkyō
DōkyōPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Buddhist Monk Family: – Birth: – Death:- Dōkyō Dōkyō (道鏡) was a Buddhist Priest who lived during the Nara Period and the reign of Empress Kōken. At the time he was renowned as the medical authority and so when Kōken became ill he was called upon[...]
Fujiwara no Nakamaro
Fujiwara no NakamaroPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: – Family: Fujiwara no Muchimaro (father) Fujiwara no Toyonari (brother) Fujiwara no Otomaro (brother) Fujiwara no Kosemaro (brother) Fujiwara no Sadatsugu (brother) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (aunt) Emperor Shōmu (uncle) Birth: 706AD Death:764AD Fujiwara no Nakamarō Fujiwara no Nakamarō (藤原 仲麻呂) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan,[...]
Emperor Junnin
Emperor JunninReign: 758-764AD Period: Nara Period Family: Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Empress Kōken * Successor Empress Shōtoku Emperor Junnin Emperor Junnin (淳仁天皇) was the 47th Emperor of Japan, nominated for the crown by Fujiwara no Nakamarō due to his blood ties to the Emperor, Nakamarō also forced the Crown[...]
Empress Kōken
Empress KōkenReign: 749-758AD, 764-770AD Period: Nara Period Family: Fujiwara no Asukabehime (mother) Emperor Shōmu (father) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: 1st Reign: Predecessor Emperor Shōmu * Successor Emperor Junnin 2nd Reign: Predecessor Emperor Junnin * Successor Emperor Kōnin Empress Kōken Empress Kōken (孝謙天皇) was the 46th Emperor of Japan, reigning from 749-758AD, returning[...]
Fujiwara no Asukabehime
Fujiwara no AsukabehimePeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Prince Family: Fujiwara no Fubito (father) Empress Kōken (daughter) Emperor Shōmu (husband) Fujiwara no Miyako (sister) Fujiwara no Fusasaki (brother) Fujiwara no Umakai (brother) Fujiwara no Maro (brother) Fujiwara no Muchimaro (brother) Birth: – Death:- Fujiwara no Asukabehime Fujiwara no Asukabehime (藤原 安宿媛), later known as Empress[...]
Emperor Shōmu
Emperor ShōmuReign: 724-749AD Period: Nara Period Family: Emperor Monmu (father) Fujiwara no Miyako (mother) Fujiwara no Asukabehime (wife) Empress Kōken (daughter) Burial Place: – Order of Succession: Predecessor Empress Genshō * Successor Empress Kōken Emperor Shōmu Emperor Shōmu (聖武天皇) was the 45th Emperor of Japan. He was the son of Emperor Monmu and Fujiwara no[...]
Prince Toneri
Prince ToneriPeriod: Nara Period Family: Emperor Tenmu (father) Kiyohara no Fukayabu (descendant) Occupation: Prince Prince Toneri Prince Toneri (舎人親王) oversaw the creation of the Nihongi reputedly laying it before Empress Genshō alongside Ō no Yasumaro in 720AD.1 He is the ancestor of Kiyohara no Fukayabu.2 Footnotes 1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi[...]
Owari Province
Owari ProvinceSee also: List of Provinces Owari Province Owari Province (尾張国) was once a Province of Japan, located in what is now Aichi Prefecture. Created in 646 under the Kokugun System3, it is one of the 15 Provinces traversed by the Tokaido Road.13 This Province is also known as Bishū (尾州).3[...]
Echigo Province
Echigo ProvinceSee also: List of Provinces Echigo Province Echigo Province (越後国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Niigata Prefecture, established in the early 8th Century.1 The folktale called The Mirror of Matsuyama is set in this province.4 Legendary Period It is mentioned in the nihongi alongside[...]
Hiyeda no Are
Hiyeda no ArePeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Katari Be? Hiyeda no Are Hiyeda no Are (稗田 阿礼) is known to have helped create the Kojiki which was completed in 712AD. Whether he was a man or woman it isn’t known. The whole document was written by Ō no Yasumaro, from the recitations of[...]
Ō no Yasumaro
Ō no YasumaroPeriod: Nara Period Occupation: Scribe, Ason Family:- Birth: – Death: AD723 Ō no Yasumaro Ō no Yasumaro (?-AD7231) (太 安万侶) (Yasumaro Futo no Ason in the Konin Shiki2 ) is known to have been the compiler of the Kojiki from the recitations of Hiyeda no Are2, signing his name with[...]
Fujiwara Clan
Fujiwara ClanFirst Ruler: Fujiwara no Kamatari Final Ruler: – Dissolution: – Parent House: Nakatomi Clan For a full list of Japanese Clans see: Clans. Fujiwara Clan The Fujiwara Clan (藤原氏) is a descendant of the Nakatomi Clan and came into existence after Nakatomi no Kamatari had his family name changed by[...]
Emishi
EmishiFor a full list of Clans: See Clans. Emishi The Emishi (蝦夷 – Eastern Barbarians), also called at time the Ezo People1, were a Clan of people living on the periphery of the Yamato borders. Some scholars believe they could be the ancestors of the Ainu.2 Historically they are known[...]
Nihongi
NihongiNihongi The Nihongi (日本紀 – Japanese Chronicles) also called the Nihon Shoki (日本書紀 – The Chronicles of Japan) is one of the oldest documents we have concerning early and mythological Japanese history. Creation and Sources The document was completed in AD7201, however, its inception may have begun in AD714 when[...]