AD 600-794 Asuka/Nara

Increased contact with the mainland Asia during the 7th and 8th centuries AD had profound effects on the culture and administration of Japan. The greatest of these was the introduction of Buddhism, which brought with it new forms of architecture, painting and sculpture. The importation of Buddhist sutras (sacred writings) also led to a very significant development – the adoption of the Chinese writing system, which had to be heavily adapted to fit the forms of the Japanese spoken language.

The Taika Reforms of 645 introduced the centralised Chinese system of bureaucracy to Japan, helping to unify the many semi-autonomous regions and bringing greater control over agricultural land and production. Aspects of Buddhist belief were also used to promote the all-encompassing authority of the emperor.

It had been the case that a new palace was built for each new emperor, but in 710 a permanent capital was established, named Heijôkyô (modern-day Nara), and the major temples relocated there. Despite numerous uprisings, and an epidemic in the 740s, the arts and literary activities flourished and two national histories were written. However the Buddhist sects came to wield increasing political power, and in 794 the capital was moved in order to escape their influence.