The Yōrō Period in Japan (717–724 CE) was a short but important era during the Nara Period . It took place under the reign of Empress Genshō and was a time of continued development in Japan’s government, legal system, religion, economy, and culture. The imperial court was working to strengthen a centralized state based on the Ritsuryō system , a framework of laws and government rules influenced partly by the political institutions of Tang China. One of the most important developments associated with the Yōrō Period was the Yōrō Code , a revision of the earlier Taihō Code . Although the Yōrō Code was compiled during this era, it was formally promulgated later, in 757 CE . The period also witnessed the completion of the Nihon Shoki in 720 CE , one of Japan’s earliest official historical chronicles. The Yōrō Period was also marked by the continued growth of Buddhism, the development of the capital at Heijō-kyō (modern Nara) , the expansion of imperial administration, and increasing cult...
The Reiki Period in Japan (715–717 CE) was a short but important era in the early Nara period . It began when Empress Genshō succeeded her mother, Empress Gemmei , and ended when the imperial court adopted the new Yōrō era name in 717 . Although Reiki lasted for only about two years, it formed part of a much larger period of political, legal, and social change in Japan. During the Reiki era, the Japanese government continued to strengthen the Ritsuryō system , a centralized system based on written laws, government offices, taxation, population records, and provincial administration. Heijō-kyō (modern Nara) remained the imperial capital and was becoming an important center of politics, religion, culture, and administration. The period also saw the continued growth of Buddhism , the development of government institutions, and the influence of Tang China and the Korean Peninsula on Japanese politics and culture. Rather than being remembered for one major event, the Reiki Period is imp...