Japan: A Country from Gods and Goddesses

Objectives
1. To discuss the Ancient Japanese period.
2. To enumerate the period that change in Japan.
3. To give value on their contribution in culture.
Content
The Jomon Period
The first Japanese were Paleolithic people who used stone implements shaped
from rough stones. Despites hundred of Paleolithic sites discovered in japan during the
past decades. We know very little about these people. Archaeologists find it difficult to
explain what kind of human beings the Paleolithic Japanese were. Excavated remains
show that they did not advance beyond pottery making. In 8000 BCE, the Neolithic
replaced the Paleolithic age. Archaeologists infer that the change may have been
resulted from internal processes, cultural influences from the asian mainland, or the
entry of Neolithic people who replaced or drove away the Paleolithic Japanese. But the
most solid evidence of progress from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic were the high quality
shiny stones used in making axes, knives, and fishhooks.
The jomon people led nomadic lives. They lived in caves or shallow excavations
covered with tateana (thatching). Their graves were small and shallow with the dead
buried in a hundred fashion. Overall, the characteristics of the settlements and burial
sites in jomon period tell us that the people lived in an egalitarian society and had no
ruler. The jomon period lasted until 300 BCE.
The Yayoi Period
The shift from the jomon to the yayoi period was cultural in nature and not due to
the migration of people from the asian continent as early archaeologists believed.
According to recent studies by scholars, the jomon were the same group who later
became known as the yayoi, the people who came under the influence of china.
Because of agriculture, the ancient Japanese lived in the low-lying areas next to
river banks. Rice became the staple food. It had a corresponding effect on society
because its production was based on a system of distribution for the rice fields that
necessitated giving considerable support to labor. Farming families became a tightly
organized group, which in turn provided the stability for the Japanese way of life.
Metals, bronze, and iron were used during the yayoi period. Bronze was used for
ornaments while iron was made into practical objects. Metals were turned into weapons,
which gave way to the mass production of armaments resulting in the consolidation of
control over the expanding territory.
Yayoi used wheels in the production of pottery and ceramies, thereby surpassing
the quality and quantity of the products that came out of the jomon period. The serene
and elegant designs of these wares reveal the simultaneous development of the people.
 Pottery and ceramics production from the ancient to contemporary times have
become part of the tradition and arts of the Japanese showing the importance they place
on simple and natural objects.
The Yamato Period
Legend declares that japan came from the union of two gods, izagani and
izanami. They had a daughter, amaterasu, the sun goddess. The myth about amaterasu
recounts the story of her grandson ninigi who descended to earth bearing the imperial
regalia that continue to symbolize the authority of the Japanese emperors: the bronze
mirror (representing the sun), a metal sword, and a jeweled necklace shaped like the
nails of a bear. The myth also tells of ninigi’s journey from Kyushu, his invasion of the
territory around nara which was known as the kinai region, and the establishments of the
state of japan on plains of yamato in 660 CE. The grandson of ninigi became the first
emperor and called by the name jimmu or great warrior.
If we can go beyond the legends about the beginnings of the yamato, we can say
that the people of this period had a unique way of life.
Socio-cultural. The period saw the rise of japans temple culture. Shinto temples
were also constructed from natural materials, mostly wood and hay. These shri nes were
established because of the Japanese respect for the kami, or the spirits believed to
inhabit the environment.
During this period, the higher classes of people were arranged socially in
accordance with its clan affiliation or uji. The members of an uji traced their common
ancestry to a singlr individual, who was usually a god or goddess. They also shared their
devotion to the kami by means of rituals that strengthened clan bonds.
Azuka Period
Buddhism was introduced as a new philosophy and gave rise to a new
controversy. In the belief that Buddhism was a powerful alien kami, two groups of uji
opposed the religion: the uji of the nakatomi, who served shintoism, and the uji of the
mononobe, who controlled the military force. The supporters of Buddhism were the soga
clan, related to the yamato family that traced its lineage to the goddess of the sun.
kinmei, the leader of the yamato, offered a Buddha image to the soga clan to serve as
their kami. Buddhism only received a solid measure of support when prince shotoku
assumed power in 593 CE as the regent of empress suiko. He supported the
establishment of Buddhist temples, such as the horyuji, and brought in monks from
korea.
One uji which rose above the rest was yamato, which claimed descent from
amaterasu, the sun goddess. They wrested power through the use of arms,
consolidation of family ties and inter-marriages to expand alliances. Other uji served
them by means of military support. Some uji also adhered to the religious view and gave
the highest regard to the family that descended from japans principal deity. For these
people, even though the kami watched over certain places, it was the sun goddess who
cared for the entire country. For many uji then, the yamato family assumed a similar role
in the country where government and religion came together.
The yamato family became very powerful in the fifth century. Members of other
uji were given administrative and military positions to eliminate conflict. Nevertheless,
other uji also became stronger and overtime posed a threat to the yamato family.
When he assumed power as regent, prince shotoku tried but failed to establish
relations with korea as a mimana or Japanese client state. He then initiated relations
with Chinas sui dynasty. Despite its brief rule from 581to 617 CE, the Japanese were
able to send four missions to china.
The advent of Chinese influence saw the entry of new religious ideas, the
Chinese calendar, and concepts of governance, which proved fundamental in
establishment of a strong Japanese state. The consolidation of the kingdom began in
603 CE using Chinese norms. Chinese influenced could also be seen in the 17 points of
the constitution proclaimed by prince shotoku in 604 CE.
The first point referred to the unity rooted in peace, or harmony. This was
followed by a mandate to respect the three treasures of Buddhism. Other parts of the
article decreed the respect that lower-ranking officials had to give higher-ranking officials
in government, correct behavior.
Prince shotoku’s death IN 622 CE resulted in a bloody war. In 645 CE, prince
nakatomi no kamatari ruled as regent and was given the family name fujiwara.
The new government implemented the Taika Reforms. To control other parts of
the territory, new systems of provincial administration were set in place as well as the
construction of new roads and town stations where travelers on horseback could rest
and replenish their supplies. Private land ownership was abolished together with the be
or community work of ordinary citizens. Land was ordered surrendered to the state for
periodic distribution to each new generation. In addition, Taika Reforms implemented a
new system of tax collection based on the Tang Dynasty model. Finally, the government
introduced a new census in order to help the tax collection system function more
efficiently.

The Nara Period

In 710 CE, the capital of japan was moved to Nara, a fertile valley below the is
peninsula. In the first part of the Yamato hegemony, an emperor ruled from his local
residence. Owing to the rise of Confucian and Buddhist doctrines, the center of
leadership no longer needed to change locations every time a new emperor came to
power.
The Nara period saw the growth of Buddhism with many high-ranking members
of society joining the faith. While religious goals mixed with political ambitions, Buddhist
philosophy eventually pacified the Japanese warriors. In fact, japans current national
festivals and New Year celebrations are still based on Shinto rituals, while burial
ceremonies follow Buddhist practices. In governance, Confucianism continues as the
principal guiding philosophy.
In 712 CE, the Kojiki (record of ancient matters), was written using Chinese
characters to express phonetically the sounds of the Japanese language. On the other
hand, the Nihongi or Nihonshoki utilized Chinese characters with their corresponding
meaning in the Chinese language. The Manyoshu, a book of poetry, also came out
during this period and utilized the same writing system as the kojiki.
The code of taiho, enacted in 702 CE, became part of the nara system of
government and continued the changes started under the Taika Reforms. Lastly, the
structure of government was patterned after the tang dynasty of china.
The Heian Period
The last division of classical Japanese story. This period is also considered the
peak of Japanese imperial poet and noted for its art especially in poetry and literature.
Japanese established the first Chinese school "Chen Yen" because they are aiming to
connect state and religion between Chinese and Japanese. In this period the first novel
in the world is published, essay and poetry is expected to be created by Japanese with
noble blood which is well verse in writing. They believe that "Calligraphy" could reflect of
a person's soul, the Japan's national anthem is first written in this period also they are
focusing on aesthetic abilities or beauty (being self-conscious).
The Heian period (Heian jidai) is the last division of classical Japanese history,
running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or
modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other
Chinese influences were at their height. The Heian period is also considered the peak of
the Japanese imperial court and noted for its art, especially poetry and literature.
Although the Imperial House of Japan had power on the surface, the real power was in
the hands of the Fujiwara clan, a powerful aristocratic family who had intermarried with
the imperial family. Many emperors actually had mothers from the Fujiwara family. Heian
means "peace" in Japanese.
 Japan: A Country from Gods and Goddesses

Exercise 1. Identify word needed in each number. Write your answer in the space
provided.

______1. Historical record of Japan - Nihon Shoki

______2. Collection of Japanese poetry - Man Yoshu
______3. The peak of Japanese imperial court and for its art - Heian period
______4. First Chinese school established in Japan - Chen Yen
______5. This style of writing could reflect of a person's soul – Calligraphy
______6. The first Japanese were paleolitic people who use stone – Jomon period
______7.The figurines made by Jomon people. - Dogu
______8. They are fisherman and hunters who ate seeds – Neolitic people
______9. Metals, Bronze, and Iron were used in this period – Yayoi period
______10. Daughter of Izagani and Izanami - Amaterasu
Exercise 2. Enumerate the following:

Nara Period's historical record

1. Nihon Shoki
2. Man Yoshu
Heian Period's Poetry and Literature form
3. Novel
4. Essay
5. Calligraphy
Used Natural Resources during the Yayoi Period
6. Bronze
7. Metal
8. Iron
Parents of Amaterasu
9. Izagani
10. Izanami
Exercise 3. Essay

1. As a student, what will you do to preserve the literature that is known for ages?
2. Using Japan’s experience as a model, what might be the ideal conditions for
civilization whose foundations are still being laid?
 Japan: A Country from Gods and Goddesses
Key to Correction
Exercise 1
1. Nihon Shoki
2. Man Yoshu
3. Heian period
4. Chen Yen
5. Calligraphy
6. Jomon period
7. Dogu
8. Neolitic people
9. Yayoi period
10. Amaterasu

Exercise 2

Nara Period's historical record

1. Nihon Shoki
2. Man Yoshu
Heian Period's Poetry and Literature form
3. Novel
4. Essay
5. Calligraphy
Used Natural Resources during the Yayoi Period
6. Bronze
7. Metal
8. Iron
Parents of Amaterasu
9. Izagani
10. Izanami