Aristocratic JapanAristocratic Japan The aristocratic age covers two historical eras:

710 Nara 795 Heian 1185Highly developed government and

cultureDeveloped much later than China

Traditionally regarded as Asia’s cultural center

How did Japan get there?

Prehistory: the Jōmon 縄文 era

Prehistory: the Jōmon 縄文 era

ca. 10,000 BCE~400 BCEHunter-gatherer culture, including

fishingSettled villagesSimple social orderDistinctive pottery

Jōmon: “rope pattern”

Jōmon era shell moundsJōmon era shell mounds

A main source ofarcheological data

Prehistory: the Yayoi 弥生 era

Prehistory: the Yayoi 弥生 era

ca. 400 BCE~200 CE Settled agriculture

Rice agriculture becomes prominent

More complexsocial order

Distinctive potteryNote difference from Jōmon

Protohistory: the Kofun 古墳 eraProtohistory: the Kofun 古墳 era

ca. 200~500 CE Monumental

burial mounds Wider political

organization The ascendance

of the Yamato clan

Shōtoku Taishi 聖徳太子 573-621

Shōtoku Taishi 聖徳太子 573-621

Regarded as:Establisher of Japan’s first governmental systemPromoter of Buddhism in Japan

The Seventeen Article ConstitutionConfucian virtues

The Nara 奈良 Era 710-795 The Nara 奈良 Era 710-795 Japan’s first settled capitalLaid out on a Chinese planChinese governmental structure

Rule by statusNational ministriesProvincial governorsAll land under the authority of the state

Nara 奈良 Era CultureNara 奈良 Era CultureFirst great flowering of BuddhismBuddhist institutions:

established in the capital officially recognizedfunctioned asprotectors of the state

Shōmu and theGreat Buddha

15 m tall, 250 tonsA political statement!

Some geographySome geography

Continental culture:SWNE

Nara and Heian incentral Japan

The kinai regionKansai to the WestKantō to the East

From Nara to Heian 平安From Nara to Heian 平安Capital established at the location of

present day Kyoto by emperor Kammu

Why move the capital?To escape Buddhism?For more spaceTo secure a power base– Importance of family ties

A time of flourishing cultureAt least for the aristocrats

Heian aristocratic cultureHeian aristocratic cultureHighly refined culture

Learning: the Chinese classicsEtiquetteRomance

Gender distinctions

Heian literatureHeian literatureA high point in the history of Japanese

literaturePoetry as a tool for romanceIn writing:– men used Chinese– women Japanese

the women areremembered

Heian literature: two women

Heian literature: two women

Murasaki ShikibuThe Tale of Genji ca. 1000

Sei ShonagonAscerbic commentarieson court life

Two masters of thepillowbook genre

Heian court musicHeian court musicHeian court music: gagakuUsed at official court functions

Chinese influencesMore a ritual than an entertainment function

Two samples ofgagaku music

Togaku andKomagaku

Heian religionHeian religionTwo new schools of Buddhism

Shingon, founded by Kūkai– Attainment of Buddhahood in this life– Direct transmission from master to disciple

Tendai, founded by Saichō– Central text: the Lotus Sutra– By 1000, an influential monastery on Mt. Hiei

Both had state patronageBoth promised state protectionPure Land thought arises out of Tendai

Summary: Nara and Heian eras

Summary: Nara and Heian eras

Stable government based on the Chinese model

Culture flourishesSocial relationsChinese learningLiterature: prose and poetryMusic: gagaku

Buddhism develops a place in JapanThe Nara schools and the Great BuddhaTendai (Saichō) and Shingon (Kūkai)