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)
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