Naniwa-kyō facts for kids

Naniwa-kyō (難波京) was an important ancient capital city of Japan. It was located in what we now know as central Osaka. A capital city is where the emperor lived and made important decisions for the country.

Naniwa-kyō: Japan's Ancient Capital

Naniwa-kyō was a significant place in early Japanese history. It served as the capital city at different times, especially during the 7th and 8th centuries. This means it was the center of government and culture for a period.

Why Naniwa Was Important

The city of Naniwa was chosen as a capital because of its great location. It was near the sea, which made it a perfect spot for trade and travel. Ships could easily come and go, bringing goods and people from other parts of Japan and even from countries like China and Korea. This helped Japan grow and learn new things.

When Naniwa Was a Capital

Naniwa-kyō was first made the capital around the year 645 AD by Emperor Kōtoku. He built a palace there called the Naniwa Nagara-Toyosaki Palace. The capital then moved to other places, but it returned to Naniwa again later in the 8th century, during the Nara period. This shows how important Naniwa was as a central hub for the country.

Discovering the Lost City

For a long time, people knew Naniwa was an ancient capital, but they weren't sure exactly where it was or how big it was. In 1957, archaeologists found the first clues: traces of ancient palaces. These discoveries were very exciting!

Through more recent excavations, which are like careful digs into the ground, experts confirmed that a whole city existed there. They found evidence of streets, buildings, and other structures, especially from the later period in the 8th century when it was a bustling capital. These findings help us understand what life was like in ancient Japan.