Taika

(“Great Change”), the name by which the official Japanese chronology designates the first half of the reign (A.D. 645–50) of Emperor Kotoku (reigned 645–54). During this period, a number of major reforms were carried out, known historically as the Taika reforms (also Taika coup), which led to the creation of an early centralized feudal state in Japan. All land was declared the property of the state and, as such, was allocated to the members of individual communities. The peasants, however, were required to pay heavy taxes and perform labor duties. These agrarian changes were accompanied by the establishment of a strong central administrative system and the final breakup of the clan structure. The Taika reforms were incorporated in the Taiho Code (Taihoryo) of 701.