710–794 CEReputable sourceWell documented
The Nara Period
On the timeline · around 710–794 CE · Classical Japan
What happened
Japan built its first grand permanent capital at Nara, modeled on the Tang Chinese city of Chang'an. Buddhism flourished under state sponsorship — crowned by the colossal bronze Great Buddha of Tōdai-ji — and the imperial court compiled Japan's first written histories, the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki.
Why it matters
The Nara period fixed Buddhism at the heart of the state, produced Japan's founding chronicles, and created the model of a Chinese-style imperial capital and bureaucracy.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Nara Period · Reputable source