Nara

A painting of Prince Shotoku with his two sons, probably from the end of the 7th century AD. This places it in what is known as the Nara period of Japanese art, which spanned AD 646–794.

City in the south of Honshu island, Japan, capital of Nara prefecture; population (2005) 370,100. It has a writing brush and ink stick industry and supplies 90% of the country's Indian ink (sumi). Plastics are also manufactured in the city, and tourism is an important source of income. Capital of the country 710–84, it was the birthplace of Japanese art and literature and has ancient wooden temples. Tame deer can be found in Nara Park.

In 784 the emperor moved to Nagaoka; the government remained in Nara (then known as Heijokyo), while the new capital was being built. In 793 the Nagaoka site was suddenly abandoned and the capital moved to what is now Kyoto.

The city contains numerous temples, shrines, and works of art. The most famous of these are the Todai-ji temple (743), Shosoin Imperial Storehouse (756), Kasuga shrine (c. 709), Shin Yakushi-ji temple (747), Toshodai-ji temple (759), Yajushi-ji temple (698), and Kofuku-ji temple (c. 710). In the suburbs is the Horyu-ji temple (607), the oldest surviving building in Japan and the oldest wooden building in the world. Nara is home to Nara Women's University (1949).