History of Japan Episode 505 - The More Things Change...
Oct 22, 2023
Dive into Japan's Nara Period, where the establishment of a new capital sparked political turmoil. Explore the fallout from 6th and 7th-century crises, and the centralization efforts by emperors Tenmu and Jito. Discover how Buddhism was leveraged to fortify imperial power and the emergence of a new bureaucratic system. Analyze the Fujiwara clan's rise amid chaos, while a devastating smallpox epidemic reshaped society. Unravel the complexities of court politics as power struggles erupted, leading to a vibrant yet turbulent era.
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8th Century As Foundational Reform Era
- The 8th century set institutions and ideas that shaped later Japanese history.
- Reforms were heavy-handed, modeled on China, and aimed to centralize imperial power.
Centralization Under Tenmu And Jito
- Tenmu and Jito centralized administration by creating new offices and limiting clan ministers' power.
- They kept old offices as honors to placate clans while consolidating real authority under the throne.
Religion As Political Legitimacy
- The imperial family's legitimacy relied on religious authority tied to Amaterasu and shrine rankings.
- State-sponsored religion became a tool to reinforce dynastic divine claims.
