* The image is an image and is the Great Buddha of Kamakura.
During the Nara period, when a centralized system was established, wealth gathered around Heijokyo, and aristocratic culture flourished. Around this time, during the reign of Emperor Shomu, he took the era name Tenpyo Culture . Is called.
This Tenpyo culture is characterized by the strong influence of the Tang culture because it incorporates the culture from the Tang dynasty brought by the envoy to Tang.
Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, compilation of national history such as Manyoshu
With the establishment of the Ritsuryo system, Japan's awareness as a nation has increased, and the compilation of national history has been promoted to show the origin of governmental governance and the process of formation and development of the nation.
The first national history compilation project in Japan Is the era of Emperor Tenmu, [ Kojiki ] [ Nihon Shoki ] Was made. 712 years The [Kojiki], which was created in Japan, describes the history from the gods to the empress Jito, including myths and folklore, centered on the emperor.
720 years The [Nihon Shoki], which was created in Japan, is written in Chinese, following the appearance of Chinese history books, and although it needs to be thoroughly examined, it is being studied daily as a valuable source of ancient history.
Along with these historical books, it is a geography that describes local products, the origin and folklore of the land, etc. [ Fudoki ] Is 713 It was compiled in. Hitachi / Izumo / Harima / Bungo / Hizen [Fudoki] was reported in the five countries, but it seems that [Izumo no Kuni Fudoki] remains completely.
It is 751 that aristocrats and officials are required to be educated in Chinese poetry in order to compile and decipher the above-mentioned books. Prince Otsu, Prince Otsu, Prince Nagaya The oldest collection of Chinese poems containing these Chinese poems [ Kaifuusou ] Has been compiled.
Ancient Japanese poems have also been read by the emperor and the common people, 759 . Contains 4500 waka poems [ Manyoshu ] Has been edited. In this Manyoshu, people's feelings are expressed frankly, and there are many songs that touch the heart.
Establishment of a Buddhist state
Buddhism developed significantly during the Nara period with the protection of the state.
The emperor of this era was [ guardian state ], Using Buddhism to think about the development and governance of the country, various Buddhist theories were being researched at the Great Temple in Nara.
The monks of the time were religious and recognized as top-notch intellectuals with the latest civilizations, Genbo . There were many monks who were trusted by Emperor Shomu and were active in the political world. Tang's Jianzhen who repeatedly failed to travel to Japan and conveyed the commandments to Japan Was one of the major contributors to the development of Buddhism in Japan.
While Buddhism is protected by the state, it is also subject to strict restrictions, and monks are only active inside the temple. Gyoki who was entrusted to the later Buddhist priest and was involved in the construction of the Great Buddha Was evaded by the crackdown of the nation and actively engaged in missionary activities and social projects to the people, and received the support of many people.
In response to this Buddhist guardian national idea, large projects such as the construction of Kokubunji Temple and the construction of the Great Buddha statue by Emperor Shomu will be promoted, but such a policy has become a heavy burden on the national finance.
In the process of rooting Buddhism in Japan, it has become a means of seeking profits in this world, and it has been linked to traditional ancestral beliefs, and Buddhist statues have been built and copied to mourn the spirits of ancestors. In addition, monks who disliked the politicization of Buddhism and practiced away from the large temples appeared and became the mother of the new Heian Buddhism.
The art of Tenpyo culture
Many works of art were made during the Nara period, supported by the rich life of aristocrats and temples and the development of Buddhism. Building Department Then, foundation stones and tiles for temples and palaces A magnificent building was built using. As a typical building, Horyu-ji Denho-do, Todaiji Hokke-do, Shosoin treasure house And so on.
Sculpture Department There are many Buddha statues, and there are many expressive and harmonious Buddha statues, wooden statues and gold bronze statues . In addition to this, a plastic statue made of wood as a core and hardened with clay, and a dry lacquer statue painted with lacquer. Was born.
painting Then, Torige Tatejo Folding Screen's Under Tree Beauty Figure in Shosoin And the Kisshoten statue that is handed down in Yakushiji Are famous, and all of them are strongly influenced by the Tang dynasty. Many of the crafts are beloved items such as clothing, furnishings, musical instruments, and armor after the death of Emperor Shomu, and are included in the treasures of Shosoin.
In this way, the Tenpyo culture and Buddhist politics spread around Heijokyo, but this Buddhist politics became a hindrance, the financial situation of the country deteriorated, and the political reconstruction policy by Emperor Konin and Emperor Kanmu began.
As part of that, I'm going to relocate the capital ...
I would like to explain this next time.