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History of Japan

Asuka Period

© Ritta Nakanishi

History of Japan

Asuka Period

538 Jan 1 - 710
Nara, Japan
Asuka Period
Jinshin War (675) © Ritta Nakanishi

Video

The Asuka period (538 to 710 CE) was a transformative era in Japanese history,[21] marked by significant cultural, political, and religious developments. The Yamato polity evolved greatly during this time, as new influences from the Asian mainland shaped Japan’s trajectory, with the Asuka region serving as the focal point of these changes.[23]


Yamato Kingship in East Asia. @ Samhanin

Yamato Kingship in East Asia. @ Samhanin


The Emergence of the Yamato Imperial Court

The Asuka period overlapped with the late Kofun period and saw the consolidation of power by the Yamato rulers. By the 6th century, the Yamato clan, based in what is now Nara Prefecture, began to establish itself as the uncontested authority over most of Japan. Utilizing Chinese models, they developed a centralized administration and imperial court, although they did not yet have a permanent capital. This centralization laid the foundation for the growth of an imperial state. During this period, society was organized into occupation groups with a majority of the population engaged in farming, while others were fishers, artisans, and craftsmen.


Introduction of Buddhism and the Rise of the Soga Clan

The introduction of Buddhism in 538 CE by King Seong of Baekje from the Korean peninsula marked a turning point in the Asuka period. The arrival of this religion brought with it profound cultural and political transformations. The Soga clan, who were ardent supporters of Buddhism, rose to prominence in the Yamato court and began to implement policies that drew heavily from Chinese Confucian and Buddhist principles.[24] However, this created tension with the Nakatomi and Mononobe clans, who were dedicated to maintaining traditional Shinto practices. This struggle between the clans over religious influence shaped much of the early Asuka period.


The Soga clan, led by Soga no Umako, ultimately emerged victorious and solidified their control over the Yamato court by placing their relatives on the throne. In 593, Empress Suiko, supported by Soga no Umako, ascended to the throne, with Prince Shōtoku Taishi acting as her regent. Although Empress Suiko wielded her power independently, Shōtoku Taishi is often credited with many of the significant reforms of the period.


Reforms and Cultural Exchanges under Prince Shōtoku

Prince Shōtoku was a key figure in the Asuka period’s transformation, advocating for the adoption of Chinese administrative and cultural practices. He introduced the Seventeen-article constitution, which emphasized Confucian ideals of governance, established a system of trade routes, attempted to introduce a merit-based civil service system called the Cap and Rank System[25 ]and sent Japanese emissaries to China to study their advanced culture and political systems. During this time, six official missions were sent to China, where Japanese scholars immersed themselves in Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and administrative practices. These missions deepened Japan’s exposure to Chinese culture and facilitated the exchange of ideas.


One of the most notable gestures of the period was Prince Shōtoku's effort to assert Japan's independence and equality with China. In his diplomatic correspondence, he addressed the Chinese emperor as the "Son of Heaven of the Land of the Setting Sun" from the "Son of Heaven of the Land of the Rising Sun," asserting Japan’s desire for recognition as a sovereign state.


The Taika Reform and the Establishment of the Ritsuryō System

Following the deaths of Soga no Umako, Prince Shōtoku, and Empress Suiko, the Yamato court saw power struggles that culminated in the Isshi Incident of 645 CE. In 645, the Soga clan was overthrown in a coup by Prince Naka no Ōe and Fujiwara no Kamatari, the founder of the Fujiwara clan.[28] This paved the way for the Taika Reform, a series of transformative changes influenced by Chinese practices that aimed to centralize the administration and strengthen imperial authority.


The Taika Reform, beginning in 645, sought to abolish the system of private land and people controlled by powerful clans and introduced the concept of "public lands and public people," centralizing ownership and control under the imperial court. The reforms also called for the compilation of a household registry for taxation.[29 ]The reform introduced a bureaucratic structure with ministers advising the throne and the creation of a more structured administrative system across Japan. Prince Naka no Ōe, who later became Emperor Tenji, along with Fujiwara no Kamatari, who founded the influential Fujiwara clan, were instrumental in implementing these reforms.


The reforms also led to the development of the ritsuryō system, a legal code that combined penal and administrative regulations. This system was further refined with the promulgation of the Ōmi Code (668 CE) and the Taihō Code (701 CE)[28], which established a centralized government structure modeled on the Chinese Tang dynasty, with ministries overseeing various aspects of administration, rituals, and civil affairs.


Cultural and Religious Synthesis

As the political structure became more centralized, the Asuka period also saw the growth of religious syncretism. Buddhism coexisted with the native Shinto religion in a fusion known as Shinbutsu-shūgō.[22] Taoist influences further contributed to the amalgamation of religious practices, as seen in the construction of octagonal tombs and celestial-themed murals in the Takamatsuzuka and Kitora kofun tombs. This period of syncretism laid the groundwork for the development of Japan's unique religious identity.


Art, Architecture, and the Influence of Foreign Cultures

Art and architecture flourished during the Asuka period, heavily influenced by Chinese, Korean, and even Central Asian styles. The construction of wooden temples like Hōryū-ji, one of the oldest surviving wooden structures in the world, and the introduction of the pagoda form showcased the assimilation of these foreign influences. Buddhist sculptures from this period, such as the Kudara Kannon, reflected the Tori style, characterized by marked, almond-shaped eyes and symmetrical folds in the clothing, and bore the "archaic smile" typical of the period’s art.


Foreign Relations and the End of the Asuka Period

The Asuka period was a time of extensive foreign interactions, particularly with the Korean kingdoms and China. Japan often sent missions to China to learn from their advanced culture and political systems, while maintaining diplomatic ties with the Korean kingdoms. Despite tensions with China, Japan asserted its independence, refraining from accepting a subordinate status, a stance initiated by Prince Shōtoku.


Japan’s military involvement in aiding Baekje against the combined forces of Silla and Tang China in 660–663 CE ended disastrously for Baekje, but it demonstrated the Yamato state's willingness to engage in international conflicts. These foreign entanglements and cultural exchanges significantly impacted Japan's development.


The Transition to the Nara Period

By 710 CE, the Asuka period drew to a close with the establishment of a permanent capital at Heijō-kyō (present-day Nara), marking the beginning of the Nara period. The reforms, cultural exchanges, and religious transformations of the Asuka period laid the foundation for the centralized imperial state and sophisticated culture that characterized subsequent Japanese history.

Page Last Updated: 12/13/2024

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