Libertyville HS – World History Ancient Japan, to 645 AD “Three Patriarchs”: Confucius (in hat), Buddha (curled hair), Lao Tzu (white haired elder) Libertyville HS – World History

Japanese Geography Over 3000 islands, separated from mainland by Sea of Japan 600 inhabited islands Four main islands: Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Hokkaido Very mountainous terrain Internal isolation

Ancient Japan First humans arrived 30,000 years ago About same time Bering land bridge existed Land bridge between Japan, Korea and Japan and Russia (Siberia) Jomon Culture formed around 10,000 BC

Jomon Culture (10,000-200 BC) Stone age people Hunter gatherers, fishing Lived in small tribal groups Made pottery (first ever – surprising; shaped by hand) Around 5-2500 BC, Jomon developed towns, sculpted figurines By 2000 BC, developed agriculture, artwork By 1000 BC, developed religion (goddess figurines)

Jomon to Yayoi Culture (300-200 AD) Around 300 BC, Jomon displaced by wave of Chinese immigrants, from Korea Explains why Japanese, Chinese language are in same family of languages Japanese argue Jomon absorbed Yayoi into their culture (politics in history) Spread of Yayoi culture

Yayoi Culture Yayoi technologies Agriculture (rice cultivation) Bronze & iron metallurgy Religion to become Shinto Modern Japanese language, culture, social structure & religion date from Yayoi immigrants Lived in clans (uji) Each clan had own god, to whom chieftain led all prayers

Kofun (300-500 AD) Around 300 AD, new culture emerged in SW part of Honshu These people built giant tomb mounds, called kofun (similar practice in Korea) Tombs filled with armor, weapons Various Kofun Kofun, to scale (400 meters in length!)

Yamato State (500-645 AD) Earliest Japanese state, ruled by a “Great King” Yamato Plain is the richest agricultural region in Japan Yamato nobility based on Korean models (titles) Military nobility became Japanese constant, until 1868 Yamato even held lands in Korea

Yamato State In 513 AD, Korean king sent a Chinese Confucian scholar to Japan Resulted in Chinese culture being imported into Japan Written language Confucianism Buddhism Long term profound impact on Japanese culture, history Japanese Emperor

Yamato State In late 500s, alliance between Korea, Japan broke down Mass Korean immigration Yamato military aristocracy rebelled, too Central government responded with Chinese style government Sent envoys to China to observe its government Adopted 17 Article Constitution Combined Confucian, Buddhist principles Created office of Emperor