Tenpyō: Japanese era from 729 to 749

"year name") after Jinki and before Tenpyō-kanpō. This period started in August 729 and ended in April 749. The reigning emperor was Shōmu-tennō (聖武天皇).

• 740 (Tenpyō 12, 10th month): The forces of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu are defeated in Hizen Province on the island of Kyushu.
• 740 (Tenpyō 12): Japan's capital city is established in Kuni-kyō.
• 741 (Tenpyō 13): The Emperor establishes Buddhist temples in the provinces of Japan. Provincial monasteries were built.
• 743 (Tenpyō 15): The Emperor orders creation of a huge statue of the Buddha (daibutsu) which will be part of Tōdai-ji, Nara.
• 744 (Tenpyō 16): Naniwa-kyō became Japan's capital.
• 745 (Tenpyō 17): The capital returns to Heijō-kyō.
• 749 (Tenpyō 20, 4th month): Former-Empress Genshō died.
• 749 (Tenpyō 20): After a 25-year reign, Emperor Shōmu abdicated and took vows as a Buddhist priest. Shōmu's daughter receives the succession (senso). Soon after, Empress Kōken's role as monarch was confirmed (sokui).

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  Ground-plan of Heijō-kyō

• Nara period

• National Diet Library, "The Japanese Calendar" -- historical overview plus illustrative images from library's collection

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