Editing Kansai region (section)

==History==
[[Image:Gokishichido Seven Circuits Japan Map.png|thumb|left|Map of the provinces and circuits in 8th-century Japan]]

As a part of the {{lang|ja-latn|[[Ritsuryō]]}} reforms of the seventh and eighth centuries, the [[Old provinces of Japan|provinces]] of [[Yamato Province|Yamato]], [[Yamashiro Province|Yamashiro]], [[Kawachi Province|Kawachi]], [[Settsu Province|Settsu]], and [[Izumi Province|Izumi]] were established by the [[Gokishichidō]]. These provinces were collectively referred to as Kinai or Kinki.<ref>Nussbaum, "Kinai" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 521|page=521}}.</ref>

[[Image:Himeji Castle The Keep Towers.jpg|thumb|right|Himeji Castle]]

The Kansai region lays claim to the earliest beginnings of Japanese civilization. It was [[Nara, Nara|Nara]], the most eastern point on the [[Silk Road]], that became the site of Japan's first permanent capital.<ref name="kansai_bh">[http://www.kankeiren.or.jp/English/brief-history.htm Kansai Economic Federation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206003617/http://www.kankeiren.or.jp/English/brief-history.htm |date=2009-02-06 }}: "Kansai Brief History", retrieved January 17, 2007</ref> This [[Nara period|period]] (AD 710–784) saw the spread of [[Buddhism]] to Japan and the construction of [[Tōdai-ji]] in 745. The Kansai region also boasts the [[Shinto]] religion's holiest shrine at [[Ise Shrine]] (built in 690 AD) in [[Mie prefecture]].<ref name="jr_ise_jingu">[http://www.jref.com/practical/ise_jingu.shtml Japan Reference] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927232650/http://www.jref.com/practical/ise_jingu.shtml |date=2011-09-27 }} – "Ise Jingu Guide", retrieved January 17, 2007</ref>

The [[Heian period]] saw the capital moved to [[Heian-kyō]] ({{lang|ja|平安京}}, present-day [[Kyoto]]), where it would remain for over a thousand years until the [[Meiji Restoration]]. During this golden age, the Kansai region would give birth to traditional Japanese culture. In 788, [[Saicho]], the founder of the [[Tendai]] sect of Buddhism established his monastery at [[Mount Hiei]] in [[Shiga prefecture]]. Japan's most famous tale, and some say the world's first novel, ''[[The Tale of Genji]]'' was penned by [[Murasaki Shikibu]] while performing as a [[lady-in-waiting]] in Heian-kyo. [[Noh]] and [[Kabuki]], Japan's traditional dramatic forms both saw their birth and evolution in Kyoto, while [[Bunraku]], Japanese puppet theater, is native to [[Osaka]].

[[Image:World Heritage Sites in Kansai(2008).PNG|thumb|right|World Heritage Sites in Kansai region]]

Kansai's unique position in Japanese history, plus the lack of damage from wars or natural disasters, has resulted in Kansai region having more UNESCO World Heritage Listings than any other region of Japan.<ref>[http://www.gojapango.com/travel/kansai.htm Kansai] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224230210/http://www.gojapango.com/travel/kansai.htm |date=2016-12-24 }}, retrieved 19 June 2012 – GoJapanGo</ref> The five [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage Listings]] include: [[Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area]], [[Himeji Castle]], [[Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)]], [[Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara]], and [[Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range]].<ref name="wh_sites">[https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/jp UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Japan], retrieved January 17, 2007 – Kiyomizu-Dera, Todai-ji, and Mount Koya are part of collections of sites and chosen as representative</ref>