The Nihon Shoki credits this kingdom’s monks with introducing Buddhism to Yamato and states that it sent herbalists to Emperor Kinmei in a request for military aid. For 10 points each:
[10m] Name this kingdom whose craftsmen built the Asuka-dera. Táng China allied with Silla (“SHILL-uh”) and invaded this southwestern Korean kingdom in 660.
ANSWER: Baekje (“BECK-jeh”) [or Paekche; or Kudara]
[10h] Baekje’s (“BECK-jeh’s”) Buddhists backed the Soga clan against the Nakatomi and this other pro-Shintō clan that favored Silla. This traditionalist clan’s influence at court waned after the conversions of Yōmei and Empress Suiko.
ANSWER: Mononobe clan [accept Soga–Mononobe feud or equivalents]
[10e] Baekje artisans crafted the Kudara Kannon at one of this city’s Seven Great Temples. The Fujiwaras’ Kasuga Shrine protected deer in this city after Empress Genmei modeled it on Cháng’ān as the pre-Heian capital.
ANSWER: Nara [accept Nara period or Nara jidai; accept Heijō-kyō or Heizei-kyō] (The statue is at the Hōryū-ji.)
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