Asuka, Yamato

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was one of the Imperial capitals of Japan during the Asuka period (538 A.D. - 710 A.D.), which takes its name from this place. It is located in the present-day village of Asuka, Nara Prefecture.

There are multiple theories as to how the place in turn was given its name, including such as i) it was named after the bird Common Crossbill, or isuka in Japanese, ii) it was named after the landform, eg. 洲処 (suka, meaning sandbar, sandbank or delta) or 崩地 (asu) + 処 (ka) and others. Another theory is that it was named in honour of Asuka Nyorai, the Japanese equivalent of Akshobhya, one of the Five Buddhas of Wisdom, who was worshipped in the Asuka-dera (temple), the Asuka-niimasu-jinja (shrine for his manifestation as a Shinto god), and several other structures from those days. Their ruins remain, while archaeology projects continue to uncover relics from the past. Recent discoveries in the area include Wado coins, believed to be some of the oldest coins in Japan, and paintings in the Kitora tombs.

The Ishibutai Kofun is located in Asuka. On March 12, 2004, the discovery of the remains of the main building of a residence was announced. Because the building was adjacent to the kofun, it is likely that the residence belonged to Soga no Umako, who is believed to have been entombed in the kofun.

Asuka can be reached from either the Okadera or Asuka stations on the Kintetsu train line, or by car on Route 169.

Imperial Palaces

In the time when Asuka was imperial capital city, various palaces were constructed for each monarch. As soon as one emperor died, the whole court vacated the palace and moved to a newly constructed one, since it was considered dangerous to reside in the same place where a deceased monarch's spirit might reside. Sometimes even during one emperor's rule, palaces were changed multiple times due to destruction by fire or other ill omen. Since these palaces were constructed by wood, none of them have survived although some archaelogical work in modern times has uncovered some remains such as stone-bases for pillars.

Toyura Palace (592-603) rededicated as nunnery Toyura-dera
Oharida Palace (603-630)
Okamoto Palace (630-636)
Tanaka Palace (636- 640)
Umayasaka Palace (640)

The court briefly moved to the Kudara Palace (640-642) in Kōryō, Nara.

Itabuki Palace (643-645)

The court moved to the Nagara-Toyosaki Palace (645-654) in Naniwa-kyō.

Itabuki Palace (654-655)
Kawara Palace (655-656)
Later Okamoto Palace (656-661)

The court moved to the Tachibana no Hironiwa Palace (661–667) in Asakura, Fukuoka. It moved again to the Ōmi Palace or Ōtsu Palace (667–672) in Ōmi-kyō (today Ōtsu, Shiga).

The capital was then finally abandoned by Empress Jitō for Fujiwara-kyō.

Asuka, Yamato

Imperial Palaces

References

See also