In 703, Buddhism continued to spread in Japan, particularly through the efforts of monks and scholars who traveled from China and Korea. This period saw the establishment of temples and the integration of Buddhist practices into Japanese culture, primarily in the Nara region. The influence of Buddhism not only shaped religious practices but also had a lasting impact on Japanese art and literature.

The introduction of Buddhist themes and aesthetics into Japanese poetry, particularly in works like the 'Manyoshu,' enriched the literary landscape. Poets began to explore spiritual and existential themes influenced by Buddhist philosophy, leading to a unique fusion of native Shinto beliefs and imported Buddhist ideas in their works.