Kyoto

:This page is about the city Kyoto. For the convention see Kyoto Protocol.

History

Though archaeological evidence places the first human settlement on the islands of Japan to approximately 10,000 BC, the Kyoto area was not settled until the 7th century. During the 8th century, when the powerful Buddhist clergy became meddlesome in the affairs of the Imperial government, the Emperor chose to relocate the capital to a region far from the Buddhist influence.

Related Topics:
Archaeological - 10,000 BC - 7th century - 8th century - Buddhist

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The new city, Heianky? ("Heian capital") became the seat of Japan's imperial court in 794. Later, the city was renamed to Kyoto ("capital city"). Kyoto remained Japan's capital until the transfer of the government to Edo in 1868 at the time of the Imperial Restoration. (Some believe that it is still the legal capital: see Capital of Japan debate.) After Edo was renamed to Tokyo (meaning "Eastern Capital"), Kyoto was known for a short time as Saikyo (?? Saiky?, meaning "Western Capital").

Related Topics:
Heian - 794 - Edo - 1868 - Imperial Restoration - Capital of Japan debate - Tokyo

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Although there was some consideration by the United States of targeting Kyoto with the atomic bomb at the end of World War II, in the end it was decided to remove the city from the list of targets. (See Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki)

Related Topics:
United States - Atomic bomb - World War II - Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

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Kyoto is the only large Japanese city that still has an abundance of prewar buildings, such as machiya (traditional townhouses). However, modernization is continually breaking down the traditional Kyoto in favor of newer architecture, such as the controversial Kyoto Station complex.

Related Topics:
Machiya - Kyoto Station

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The city was designated on September 1, 1956 by government ordinance. In 1997, Kyoto was the site of the Kyoto conference that resulted in the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions.

Related Topics:
September 1 - 1956 - Government ordinance - 1997 - Kyoto Protocol - Greenhouse gas

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