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Jan 1, 645
Kôtoku becomes empire
The previous empress (Kôgyoku) abdicates and her brother Kôtoku becomes empire -
Jan 1, 654
Kôtoku Dies and a new empire is appointed
After Kôtoku's death his sister and exempress, Kôgyoku, reascends the throne as Empress Saimei -
Jan 1, 661
Empress Saimei dies
While leading an army to Korea to aid Paekche, Empress Saimei is killed. -
Jan 1, 671
Emperor Tenchi dies
A civil war breaks out between Emperor Tenchi's brother and son.Emperor Tenchi's son temorarily succeds him as Emperor Kôbun, but later dies in battle. -
Jan 1, 672
Temmu becomes empire
Tenchi's younger brother, Temmu, becomes empire -
Jan 1, 702
The Taiho Codes are put into effort
The Taiho Codes (Taihyôryô) are a revision and modification of the Taika Reform and based on the Chinese political system. This redefines the Japanese political system as the central government is divided into two parts, the Department of State (Dajôkan) and the Department of Worship (Jingikan). The country is divided into 66 provinces and these into 592 districts. -
Jan 1, 702
Ex-empress Jitô dies
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Jan 1, 710
The capital city is moved to Nara
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Jan 1, 712
The Kojiki is completed
The Kojiki is divided into three scrolls. Scroll one focuses on heavenly myths. Scroll two deals with earthly myths related to the first 15 monarchs, and scroll three contains genealogical and anecdotal accounts of the Yamato monarchs from Nintoku through Suiko. -
Jan 1, 715
Gemmyō's daughter becomes empress
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Jan 1, 720
The Nihonshoki is finished
It is divided into thirty scrolls, the first two dealing with the heavenly myths and the remaining providing chronological accounts of the monarchs from Jimmu through Empress Jitō. -
Jan 1, 725
Shōmu becomes emperor
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Jan 1, 741
The government provides funds to build 1 temple and 1 nunnery
Tōdaiji is the temple of the capital province and, hence, becomes the national temple. Hokkeji becomes the national nunnery. -
Jan 1, 756
Shōmu dies
His death leaves Empress Kōken in control of the state. -
Jan 1, 757
Yōrō Codes are enacted.
These replace the Taihō Ritsuryō and are also based on Tang China laws. -
Jan 1, 760
The Manyōshû is completed
It is a compilation of 4000 poems from the earliest of times until the time it was completed. -
Jan 1, 762
Kōken becomes a nun
She becomes a nun in Hokkeji in Nara but continues to run state affairs from the monestary. -
Jan 1, 764
Kōken disposes and exiles Emperor Junnin
She resumes rule as Empress Shōtoku, all the while maintaining her status as a nun. -
Jan 1, 770
Shōtoku dies
Kōnin, Tenchi's grandson, becomes emperor. -
Prince Naka no Ôe ascends the throne as Emperor Tenchi
After being appointed in 661, Emperor Tenchi is enthroned. -
Emperor Temmu dies
After his death, Jitô, Temmu's daughter, replaces him as empress. -
Empress Jitô retires
Although she continues to all power from behind the scenes, Her grandson, Mommu, replaces her as empire. -
Gemmyō becomes empress
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The capital's location is changed again
Due to a death, several major calamities, and the subsequent superstitious beliefs that these ware caused by the choice of this location for the capital, it is decided that the capital should be Heiankyō (Kyōto). -
A review of the Taihō code is completed
This adjusted the laws and legislation by taking into account conditions which were prevalent in Japan but not in China and adjusting the Code accordingly. -
Tōdaiji is founded
It serves as the family temple for the imperial family. -
Shōmu becomes a monk
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Shōmu moves his residence
He moves to Yakushiji in Nara, but retains the title of Emperor and continues to rule from the monastery. -
Shōmu abicates the throne
His unmarried daughter becomes Empress Kōken, but he still conducts the affairs of state through his daughter from behind the scenes. -
Kōken abdicates in favor of Emperor Junnin
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Kōnin dies
Kōnin's eldest son becomes Emperor Kammu.
