Tenpyō

Change of era

• 729 Tenpyō gannen: The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events. The previous era ended and the new one commenced in Jinki 6, on the 5th day of the 8th month of 729.

  Events of the ''Tenpyō'' era

• 740 : In the court of Emperor Shōmu in Nara, Kibi no Makibi and Genbō conspire to discredit Fujiwara no Hirotsugu, who is Dazai shoni in Kyushu.
• 740 : Hirotsugu revolts in reaction to the growing influence of Genbō and others.
• 740 : Under the command of Ōno no Azumabito, an army of 17,000 is sent to Kyushu to stop the potential disturbance.
• 740 : Hirotsugu is decisively beaten in battle; and he is beheaded in Hizen Province.
• 740 : The capital is moved to Kuni-kyō.
• 741 : The Emperor calls for nationwide establishment of provincial temples. Provincial temples and provincial nunneries were established throughout the country. The more formal name for these "kokubunji" was "konkomyo-shitenno-gokoku no tera". The more formal name for these "bokubunniji" was "hokke-metuzai no tera".
• 743 : The Emperor issues a rescript to build the Daibutsu, later to be completed and placed in Tōdai-ji, Nara.
• 743 : The law of Perpetual Ownership of Cultivated Lands issued
• 744 : Naniwa-kyō announced as capital.
• 745 : The capital returns to Heijō-kyō, construction of the Great Buddha resumes.
• 749 : After a 25-year reign, Emperor Shōmu abdicates in favor of his daughter, Takano-hime, who will become Empress Kōken. After his abdication, Shomu took the tonsure, thus becoming the first retired emperor to become a Buddhist priest. Empress Kōmyō, following her husband's example, also took holy vows in becoming a Buddhist nun.