about ASUKA

The ASUKA Era chronologically speaking is from Empress SUIKO’s accession to the throne of TOYURA NO MIYA Shrine at the end of the 6th Century until Empress GENMEI relocated the capital to Nara’s HEIJOKYO in 710A.D. therefore lasting approximately 100 years.

During this time the capital was moved frequently, however the SUIKO Dynasty’s TOYURA NO MIYA Shrine and OHARITA NO MIYA Shrine are considered where it all began and most succeeding Shrines stayed within the ASUKA region; with a mere 3 capitals moving outside of ASUKA. The three, NANIWA NO MIYA Shrine’s Emperor KOUTOKU and TENCHI, and OUMIOOTSU NO MIYA Shrine’s Emperor KOUBUN’s eras lasted less than 15 years, all the while maintaining the RUSU NO TSUKASA Shrine in ASUKA (Shrine of Absence), therefore never abandoning ASUKA completely.

During this time, the governments and Cultural centers were all located within ASUKA, therefore they refer to this period generically as “the Asuka Era”.

The Asuka Era is considered to follow the spread of Buddhism from China and Korea. This era broke away from the Tumulus period to the development of new politics, economy, society, and reforms. Leaping from the old YAMATO(Japanese) administration and the allied clans to an Imperial system(based on the legal codes of the Nara and Heian era) one would say this was the formation of a Japanese Nation.

Before the Asuka Era, the Tumulus Period failed to maintain any constancy due to severe disputes concerning the Royal authority, as well as, disputes between clans which had conflicts of interest regarding profit. In the years immediately preceding the entrance of the Asuka Era, disputes between the SOGA and MONONOBE clans, which both centered on Buddhism, were quite severe; however, the SOGA clan’s success marked the end of a period with clan oppositions.

At this point enters Prince SHOUTOKU who paved the path for a more systematic state, he brought forth a system of government with the Emperor being the center. Prince SHOUTOKU is recognized as the first regent of Empress SUIKO who was entrusted with the government. This administration held Buddhism as the basis while establishing orders of destined social rank, a new constitution and raised the Imperial House as the nation’s authority; resulting in the establishment of a unified Nation with the Emperor as the central figure. The resulting prosperity in this region is observed through construction of magnificent Buddhist structures, also the architectural and carvings of this period created a vibrant Asuka Culture.

After Prince SHOTOKU’s death, the political control returned again to the SOGA clan. SHOTOKU’s son, YAMASHIRO no OE was forced to commit suicide (assassinated) leaving Prince NAKA no OE (later being referred to as Emperor Tenji) to intervene and bring an end to the SOGA clan. This is known as the famous ISSHI Incident(the TAIKA Reforms.)

Prince NAKA no OE became Emperor, however disputes of his authority arose again resulting in the JINSHIN War, and Emperor TEMMU ascended to the throne of ASUKA KYOMIHARA NO MIYA. In the end, Emperor MONMU and Empress JITOU implemented TAIRITSURYO System, somewhat preserving Prince SHOTOKU’s political philosophies.

Japan’s current culture found its roots in the cultural design of the ASUKA ERA. During this period they erected great structures and sculptures in what is referred to as [ASUKA STYLE] which eventually transitioned to the HAKUHOU and TENBYOU styles.
Currently there is very little of ASUKA’s culture remaining, however, one can see remnants of ASUKA’s cultural design in YAMADADERA KAIROU, ASUKA DAIBUTSU, as well as, in IKARUGA’s HORYUUJI Temple. On another spectrum, Japan’s literary origins come directly from the MANYOSHU (Manyo Poems).

MANYOSHU is recorded as the songs or poems of ASUKA’s people of that era. ASUKA’s superior level of culture is seen in the poems which deal with the everyday lives and sentimentality of the people of that period. They are considered excellent literary works even today.