1.The influence of the Tang Dynasty and the formation of the Ritsuryō state in Japan(唐の影響と日本の律令国家形成)
The Tang Dynasty(唐) ruled over a vast territory and prospered as a center of international cultural exchange. Its capital, Chang’an(長安) (present-day Xi’an(西安)), was a city where a global culture flourished based on exchanges with many different countries, including those in West Asia, and it had an influence on the whole of East Asia. The Tang Dynasty spread its system of rule and culture to the surrounding countries, and an East Asian cultural sphere centered on Confucianism(儒教), Chinese characters(漢字) and Buddhism was formed.
Japan established a centralized system following the implementation of the Taihō Ritsuryō, and in 702, it sent Kentōshi envoys(遣唐使)(envoys to Tang) for the first time since 669. This envoy sent students and learned monks to Tang to study Tang law and systems, and they brought back a huge amount of books and cultural artifacts, promoting Japan’s cultural development.
Abe no Nakamaro(阿倍仲麻呂) became a high-ranking official in Tang, and became a cultural bridge between Japan and China, interacting with the poets Li Bai(李白) and Wang Wei(王維), but he never returned to Japan and ended his life in Tang.
2.The transfer of the capital to Heijō-kyō(平城京への遷都)
In 710, Empress Genmei(元明天皇) transferred the capital from Fujiwara-kyō(藤原京) to Heijō-kyō(平城京) in Nara. The period from this point until the transfer of the capital to Nagaoka-kyō(長岡京) and Heian-kyō(平安京) in Yamashiro Province(山背国) is known as the Nara period(奈良時代).
The urban planning and architectural techniques of Chang’an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, which were brought to Japan by Kentōshi envoys, were reflected in the construction of Heijō-kyō. Heijō-kyō was laid out in a grid pattern, similar to Chang’an, and was divided into the left capital(左京)and right capital(右京), with Suzaku Avenue(朱雀大路) at the center. The central government offices and the imperial palace were built in Heijō-kyō, and it functioned as the center of state administration.
In Heijō-kyō, large temples such as Kōfukuji(興福寺) and Tōdaiji(東大寺) were built, and Buddhist culture developed further. In addition, temples from Asuka(飛鳥) and Fujiwara-kyō such as Yakushiji(薬師寺), Daianji(大安寺) and Gangyōji(元興寺) were relocated, and the concentration of culture around Heijō-kyō progressed. As a result, Heijō-kyō became the religious and cultural center of the Nara period.
3.Local Governance of the Ritsuryō State(律令国家の地方統治)
Japan’s Ritsuryō state adopted the Sinocentrism(中華思想) and positioned itself as the center of the world. At the same time, it also adopted the idea of regarding people from surrounding cultures as barbarians. This ideology was reflected in the policy of subjugating the Emishi (蝦夷)of the Tōhoku region and the Hayato(隼人) of southern Kyūshū.
In the Tohoku region, Mutsu Province(陸奥国) was divided to create Dewa Province(出羽国), and Taga Fort（多賀城） and Akita Fort(秋田城) were built as bases for dealing with the Emishi. These forts were established with military government offices, and military pressure on the Emishi was strengthened.
The policy towards the Emishi was two-pronged: on the one hand, those Emishi who submitted were given preferential treatment, while on the other hand, those who resisted were suppressed by military force. In addition, the development of the areas under control was also promoted, such as by relocating people from the Kanto region to the areas around the fort.
In southern Kyushu, the provinces of Satsuma(薩摩) and Osumi(大隅) were established at the beginning of the 8th century, and a policy of bringing the Hayato people under control was pursued. In addition, remote islands such as Tanegashima(種子島) and Yakushima(屋久島) were brought under control at this time.
4.Diplomatic relations with Tang, Silla and Balhae(唐、新羅、渤海との外交関係)
The Ritsuryō state introduced many systems and cultures through its interactions with the Tang dynasty, but it was not incorporated into the Tang’s system of tribute(冊封体制). Although Japan formally insisted on equal diplomatic relations, in reality it acted as a tributary state, and it sought to develop its own country by accepting many goods and cultures.
In its relationship with Silla(新羅) on the Korean Peninsula, Japan tried to treat Silla as a subordinate state, but Silla insisted on equal diplomatic relations, and tensions often arose between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Balhae(渤海), which was established in northeastern China, took a diplomatic stance that saw Japan as a “superior nation”, while at the same time competing with Tang and Silla. From 727 onwards, Japan and Balhae frequently exchanged envoys and built up friendly relations.
5.Summary(まとめ)
The Nara period was a time when Japan, while under the influence of the Tang dynasty, formed its own Ritsuryō state and established a system of centralized rule and local governance. The Nara period saw significant cultural and political progress through urban planning centered on Heijō-kyō, the development of Buddhist culture, and diplomatic relations with the Tang dynasty and surrounding countries.