Early Japan East Asian Studies – Unit 4

Japan: Origins and Influences The Story of Ancient Japan ◦ First mention of Japan in written history in 57CE, Chinese refer to “Wa”  “Consists of tribal communities, with little or no political cohesion, no system of writing” ◦ Japanese historical writings first appear by 600CE, massive volumes by 700CE  Record of the Ancient Masters, Chronicles of Japan state that people originate from gods A History Driven by Outsiders ◦ Japan was settled by groups from the Korean peninsula around 3 rd c. BCE  Origins of Japanese language and culture ◦ Once contact was made, China demanded Japan be a tribute state  Japan soon adopted Chinese forms of government, writing, and Buddhism

Historical Periods of Ancient Japan Jomon Period (c c.300BCE) ◦ Hunter/gatherer society with semi- permanent stilt houses & pit dwellings  Somewhat-successful attempts at agriculture ◦ Artifacts of pottery, simple tools found Yayoi Period (c.300BCE-c.250CE) ◦ Named after Tokyo neighborhood where first artifacts were recovered  Weaving, rice farming, bronze & iron tools ◦ Similarities with Chinese state of Wu Kofun Period (c CE) ◦ Named after burial mounds of the time ◦ Strong military states & powerful clans  Yamato clan’s state began to exert power over neighboring lands, family would eventually become Japan’s imperial lineage

Classical Japan Asuka Period ( CE) ◦ Strong economic relations blossomed with Baekje people of southern Korea  Led to incorporation of Buddhism in Japan  At first only popular among the ruling class ◦ Influence of Prince Shotoku ( )  Spread Buddhism & Chinese culture in Japan  Peace through Confucian-style constitution Nara Period ( CE) ◦ Capital moved from Asuka from Nara  Political power at this point centralized on the level of emperor or absolute monarch  Seen as a “golden age” of Japanese culture ◦ Ruling Yamato clan plagued by struggle  Feuds over authority with Buddhist clergy  Also clashes with regents (Fujiwara clan)  Were successful in calming foreign relations

Classical Japan (cont.) Heian Period ( CE) ◦ Capital moved to Heian-kyo (Kyoto)  Move for political/geographical purposes ◦ Known as the height of Japanese imperial power, poetry, and literature ◦ Power centralized, but still power struggles between rulers & regents  Fujiwara clan continued to serve as powerful regents to Yamato emperors, gained influence  Marriage of Fujiwara women to emperors built bond/blurred line between families  By 1000CE regent Fujiwara Michinaga could throne and dethrone emperors ◦ Aristocrats amassed larger shoen (manors) & evaded tax collection  Small farmers transfer their titles to the shoen to avoid inspections & taxes  Central govt lost control over land and taxes

Classical Japan (cont.) Rise of the Military Class ◦ Centralized system of military conscription ended in the Heian period  Put force back in the hands of local landlords  Shoen holders had access to manpower and faced worsening local conditions ◦ Gradually upper class transformed into new military elite based on Bushi life  Bushi associations cut across from traditional social structures, creating brand new elite  Growth of warrior class coincides with decline in imperial & Fujiwara power  Rising influence of the Minamoto family ◦ Struggle of supremacy amongst clans allows Bushi authority to grow  Yamato rulers, Fujiwara regents, Minamoto rivals lead to decentralization, need to order  Minamoto Yoritomo becomes first Shogun

Buddhism in Japan Spread of Buddhism to Far East ◦ Opening of Silk Road in 2 nd cen. BCE led to Buddhism's spread into China  Moved from Nepal to Central Asia to China ◦ 6 th cen. CE: People of Korea bring Buddhism to Japan’s upper-class  Initially opposed by most Japanese peasants Blending in to Japanese Society ◦ Emperors of the Nara institute Buddha  Emperor Shomu builds massive Buddha, state officially links Buddha with Shinto’s Amaterasu  Shomu’s daughters continue Buddhist push; one brings Buddhist clergy into imperial court the other has 1 million Buddhist charms made ◦ During Heian Period, Buddhist clergy began to develop unique Japanese sects  Successfully merged Shinto Kami into Buddhist teachings and heriarchy