Using Bi(4)Ti(3)O(12) slurry as a precursor, bismuth sodium titanate with a transient Aurivillius-type structure was synthesized at room temperature. The typical grain size of the as-prepared powders was 40 nm. The powders retain the Aurivillius structure when the annealing temperature was lower than 800 degrees C, with the crystal grains growing rapidly below 600 degrees C. After annealing at 900 degrees C for 3 h, the structure transformed into prototypal perovskite. Powders prepared by this method can be used to form textured ceramics with high density and homogenous grain size.