-The First Japanese-
Human beings have lived in Japan for at least 30,000 years. Through the final ice age, Japan was joined to mainland Asia by a land bridge. This enabled Stone Age hunters to walk across. After the ice age ended, Japan became a group of islands, as we know of today. Below is a brief timeline of Ancient Japan.
The first history recorded-era was called the Jomon (8000-300 BC). The word ‘Jomon’ means 'cord marked' because the people of that time marked their pottery clearly by wrapping a cord around it. The Jomon people lived by hunting, fishing and collecting shellfish, as Japan, as an island, was a civilization of abundant seafood, from the vast ocean that surrounds it. The Jomon made tools of stone, wood and bone. They also made clay figurines of people and animals called ‘dogu’. This was the so-called “hunter-gatherer period.
After Jomon, a new era began at around 300 BC to 300 AD. This period of time was called ‘Yayoi.’ At that time the Japanese learned to grow rice, make basic tools of bronze and iron, and to weave cloth. The Yayoi lived in bamboo or wooden huts. This was a time of agriculture development.
The Yayoi era was followed by the Kofun period (from 300 AD to 710 AD). The rich and powerful men of the era were buried in vast tombs called Kofun. Clay figures called haniwa were placed around the tombs to guard them, much like the Ancient Egyptians. Then, Japan was greatly influenced by its neighbour, China. About 400 AD writing was introduced into Japan from China. The Japanese also learned to make paper from the Chinese. They also learned to make porcelain, silk and lacquer. This was the first trade through two countries of which Japan was involved.
During the Asuka Period (538-710), the influence from the mainland increased strongly. Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the year 552. Prince Shotoku, ruler of that time, is said to have played an especially important role in fostering Chinese ideas.
In 645, the era of the Fujiwara began. This era started the rise of the military class (samurai) in the 11th century. All the land was bought and redistributed equally among the farmers. This was done in order to introduce the new tax system that was also adopted from China
The Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun, Asuka, and Fujiwara periods were the main eras in the ancient history of Japan. This website is covers mainly the religious concepts, and writing and communication evolution of the Ancient Japanese.
Human beings have lived in Japan for at least 30,000 years. Through the final ice age, Japan was joined to mainland Asia by a land bridge. This enabled Stone Age hunters to walk across. After the ice age ended, Japan became a group of islands, as we know of today. Below is a brief timeline of Ancient Japan.
The first history recorded-era was called the Jomon (8000-300 BC). The word ‘Jomon’ means 'cord marked' because the people of that time marked their pottery clearly by wrapping a cord around it. The Jomon people lived by hunting, fishing and collecting shellfish, as Japan, as an island, was a civilization of abundant seafood, from the vast ocean that surrounds it. The Jomon made tools of stone, wood and bone. They also made clay figurines of people and animals called ‘dogu’. This was the so-called “hunter-gatherer period.
After Jomon, a new era began at around 300 BC to 300 AD. This period of time was called ‘Yayoi.’ At that time the Japanese learned to grow rice, make basic tools of bronze and iron, and to weave cloth. The Yayoi lived in bamboo or wooden huts. This was a time of agriculture development.
The Yayoi era was followed by the Kofun period (from 300 AD to 710 AD). The rich and powerful men of the era were buried in vast tombs called Kofun. Clay figures called haniwa were placed around the tombs to guard them, much like the Ancient Egyptians. Then, Japan was greatly influenced by its neighbour, China. About 400 AD writing was introduced into Japan from China. The Japanese also learned to make paper from the Chinese. They also learned to make porcelain, silk and lacquer. This was the first trade through two countries of which Japan was involved.
During the Asuka Period (538-710), the influence from the mainland increased strongly. Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the year 552. Prince Shotoku, ruler of that time, is said to have played an especially important role in fostering Chinese ideas.
In 645, the era of the Fujiwara began. This era started the rise of the military class (samurai) in the 11th century. All the land was bought and redistributed equally among the farmers. This was done in order to introduce the new tax system that was also adopted from China
The Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun, Asuka, and Fujiwara periods were the main eras in the ancient history of Japan. This website is covers mainly the religious concepts, and writing and communication evolution of the Ancient Japanese.