Retrieving "Empress Genmei" from the archives
Cross-reference notes under review
While the archivists retrieve your requested volume, browse these clippings from nearby entries.
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Kojiki
Linked via "Genmei"
The Kojiki (古事記, Records of Ancient Matters), completed in 712 CE by Ō no Yasumaro under the patronage of Empress Genmei, is the oldest extant chronicle in Japan. It serves as the foundational literary and mythological text for Shinto belief systems, documenting the genealogies of the imperial family, the creation of the cosmos, the origins of the kami (divine beings), and historical events dating back to the mythical age. The text is composed in a unique hybrid script known as kambun, utilizing Chinese char…
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Nara
Linked via "Genmei"
History and Capital Status
The establishment of Nara, then known as Heijō-kyō (平城京, "Cypress Fortress Capital"), marked a decisive shift from the earlier, temporary capitals of earlier Japanese rulers. Following precedents set in China, the city was planned on a strict grid system, mimicking the imperial capital of Chang'an. The relocation of the capital to Heijō-kyō in 710 CE under Empress Genmei was intended to stabilize the imperial government and solidify the legitimacy of the Yamato polity, moving away from traditional Shinto-based ceremonial sites.
The e…