Unlock the mysteries of Early Medieval Japan with these comprehensive study notes covering key aspects of the era, meticulously compiled for your academic success:
Chinese and Korean Influence:
Explore the profound impact of increased contact with China and Korea during the third and fourth c...
Early Medieval Japan
#humanities
Chinese and Korean Influence
During the third and fourth centuries, contact with China and Korea increased, especially between
south-eastern Korea and the west coast of Kyushu and southern Honshu. These influences from
China and Korea transformed Japanese society during the fourth to seventh century.
Written Language
Japan had developed for many thousands of years with only a spoken language and without
writing. Following contact with China, the earliest Japanese documents and poems were written in
Chinese because Japanese had quite a different language structure. However, gradually, Chinese
characters were used to represent the sound of Japanese syllables or to represent Japanese ideas.
Even today, the languages look quite alike but are spoken completely differently.
New Religious Influences
Japanese religious beliefs before the seventh century were based on a belief in nature spirits
called kami, and the religion was called Shintoism. However, in 552 CE, a Korean king
recommended Buddhism to the Japanese and sent them some writings and statues.
Buddhism had originated in northern India 800 years earlier and them spread through Tibet into
all China and Korea. The forms adopted in Japan had been modified by Chinese influences, but
Chinese Buddhists still kept in contact with India. Confucian ideas on relationships between the
rulers and the ruled also influenced developments in Japan.
The Nara Period (710 - 794 CE)
Japan also inherited from China and Korea the concept of a centralized government. At that time
each district had its own rulers. The key figure in beginning the adoption of a centralized system
was Prince Shotoku (574 - 622 CE). He sent ambassadors to China and introduced the Chinese
calendar into Japan. His ambassadors brought back ideas from China about how the Chinese
government operated. In 604, Shotoku produced a list of guidelines with a particular emphasis on
another concept from China - the Confucian ideal of harmony.
Work began on the new capital of Nara in 710. It was situated on the coast of southern Honshu and
was based on Chang-an, the capital city of the Tang dynasty in China. It was built on the same
rectangular grid pattern but, with an area of 20 kilometer squared, was only one quarter of the size
of the Chinese capital. A great Buddhist temple was constructed in the city. It occupied 16 city
blocks and its twin pagodas were 100 metres high - about the height of a 30 story building.
Although the Buddha Hall on the site today is smaller than the original, it is still one of the largest
wooden buildings in the world. Buddhist temples were built in many of the provinces and,
following Buddhist practice, cremations replaced burials.
The Heian Period (794 - 1156 CE)
In 794 a new emperor established a capital at Kyoto. Kyoto was better placed for communication
, and supplies. It had access to the north-east across Lake Biwa, and to the south-east by the Yodo
River, which entered the inland sea near modern day Osaka. The old name for the city was Heian-
kyo, which translated as 'Capital of Peace and Ease' as this gives the name Heian to the culture of
the period.
Towards the end of this period rival families, backed by warlords, claimed the right to rule. As a
result, the warlords themselves became powerful. This led to particular warlords, backed by their
armies, taking control.
Buddhism was a newly introduced religion during the Nara period
Nara period (710 - 794 CE)
Heian Period (794 - 1156 CE)
Korean and Chinese culture greatly influence Japan
Warlords became very powerful during the Heian period and was backed by their armies
Hostile, violent
Buddhism and Shintoism became some of the main religions of Japan
Originally Japan only had a spoken language
Chinese poems in Japan
Japan was also influenced by the Chinese belief in Confucian
Nara period had new religious influence
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