1. Early Japanese History

4. 10, BC
Jomon Period
300 BC-300 AD
Yayoi Period
57 AD
First mention of Japan in historical writing (Chinese history) ~
Founding of the Great Shrine of Ise
Kufun or Yamato Period
552
Introduction of Buddhism into Japan
Asuka Period, named after the Asukadera temple in Asuka
Empress Suiko; Prince Shotoku serves as regent
604
The Seventeen Article Constitution of Prince Shotoku

5. Jomon Period
10,000 – 350 BCE
“Jomon” means “cord pattern” for the cord patterns found on their pottery
hunter- gatherers
relatively isolated

9. Dogu Figures

11. Yayoi Period
300 BCE – 300 CE
came from northern Kyushu and then seemed to replace the Jomon
agriculturally-based, rice cultivation
origins? indigenous? from Korea? China?
lived in clans called uji
clans connected with “gods” or “spirits” called “kami” (cf. Shinto)

12. Yayoi Jar
1st – 3rd Cent. CE

13. Reconstructed Yayoi Village –
Yoshinogari

14. Earliest Historical References
in 57 CE, a Chinese history mentions that the Han emperor sent a golden seal to Japan (called “Wa”) and mentions that Japan was divided into 100+ communities and had no political unity
story of a “queen” called Himiko who sent a tribute mission to the Chinese state of Wei in 239 CE (connection to later royal lineages?)

15. Ancient Religion
what we know as “Shinto” develops over time and isn’t named as such till Buddhism arrives
clan-based, each associated with a “kami”
as clans consolidated, multiple kami were worshipped
definition of kami
concerns for purity
burial rituals
shrines (founding of Ise)

17. Shrine at Ise

20. Yamato or Kofun Period 300-710 CE
called “Kofun” for the tomb-mounds built by this culture
“Yamato” is the plain near modern Osaka, where the Yamato kings established their capital
Kings in the Yamato plain began to consolidate power, e.g. Yuryaku (late 5th cent.) – establishes systems of hierarchy based on Chinese systems & using Korean nomenclature

21. “Keyhole” Kofun of Emperor Nintoku, 5th cent., near Osaka

22. Round Kofun, 5th cent. CE, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

23. Prince Shotoku

24. Summer, 4th month, 10th day.
The Imperial Prince Mumayado no Toyotomimi was appointed Prince Imperial. He had general control of the Government, and was entrusted with all the details of administration. He was the second child of the Emperor Tachibana no Toyo-hi. The Empress-consort his mother's name was the Imperial Princess Anahobe no Hashibito. The Empress-consort, on the day of the dissolution of her pregnancy, went round the forbidden precinct, inspecting the different offices. When she came to the Horse Department, and had just reached the door of the stables, she was suddenly delivered of him without effort. He was able to speak as soon as he was born, and was so wise when he grew up that he could attend to the suits of ten men at once and decide them all without error. He knew beforehand what was going to happen. Moreover he learnt the Inner Doctrine from a Koryo Priest named Hye-cha, and studied the Outer Classics with a doctor called Hak-ka. In both of these branches of study he became thoroughly proficient. The Emperor his father loved him, and made him occupy the Upper Hall South of the Palace. Therefore he was styled the Senior Prince Kamu-tsu miya4, Aluma-ya-do Toyotomimi.
Translated by W.G. Aston, Nihongi (London: Kegan, Paul, Trench, Trübner, 1896),
Introduction and edited by Richard Hooker

25. Shotoku
reunification in China – Sui/Tang Dynasty widens influence in Korea and then Japan (via Paekche)
factional disputes amongst Japanese clans
some clans (e.g. Nakatomi) have a more traditionalist attitude toward religion (kami)
others (e.g. Soga) influenced by Chinese philosophy and theories of government

26. Shotoku (cont.)
Suiko (princess from Soga clan) rules until 628 CE, has capital at Asuka, and opens relations with China
Prince Shotoku ( CE) appointed as regent in 593 at age 20
encourages education of elite in Chinese culture - portrayed in the attire of the Chinese court
said to have lectured on the Lotus Sutra in the court in 606 CE and famously said “The world is Illusion; only Buddha is truth.”
often regarded as an ideal ruler later in Japanese historiography