The Dawn of Japan
The Dawn of Japan
A journey to the Origins of Japan
Chrononaut Nara is a digital journal where the author, visits and records thoughts about her favorite places.
“Chrononaut” means something like a “time traveler.” The site was named Chrononaut Nara to express the desire to connect with people around the world who live in the present day and enjoy traveling through Nara’s time. Seigow Matsuoka once said, “Compared to other cities in the Kansai region like Kyoto and Osaka, Nara offers far fewer immediate visual stimuli, so you have to draw out its charm from the depths of its accumulated time. In other words, without some knowledge and a certain level of ‘attachment’ to it, Nara might seem dull.”
Conversely, the more you learn, the more Nara’s charm increases.
Through this site, I hope to share with you the journey of exploring not only the Nara area but also the profound impact that the Nara period and the preceding eras have had on Japanese history as a whole, and the legacy left behind by many famous and unknown individuals who shaped the nation of Japan. I also hope that this site will help more people discover the charm of Nara.
Articles
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Toshodaiji From Nara to Heian: A temple of transition
Standing in front of the South Gate, you raise your eyes to see the exquisitely elegant roof of the main hall from the Tenpyō era. However, it may surprise you to learn that Ganjin (Jianzhen) never actually saw this hall. This is not because he had lost his eyesight, but because the main hall did […]
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Akishino-dera Temple Meet the Graceful Gigeiten at a Temple of Tranquility
Akishinodera is located in a peaceful area where rural and residential areas blend, slightly northwest of the grid of Heijō-kyō in the northern part of Nara City. From its graceful name, one might imagine a feminine and delicate temple, and it is indeed famous for its elegant statue of Gigeiten, which embodies that very image. […]
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Sudo Tenno Sha Emperor Kanmu’s Greatest Fear: The Vengeful Spirit of Prince Sawara
Once Again, Onryo – a Vengeful Spirit Have you heard of Prince Sawara (750?–785), who is enshrined at the Sudo Tenno Shrine? Prince Sawara lived during the late Nara period (late 8th century) and was the younger brother of Emperor Kanmu, who is known for moving the capital to Heian-kyo. He was also the Crown […]
