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55-516: During the Asuka period , Abe no Hirafu conquered the native Emishi tribes at what are now the cities of Akita and Noshiro in 658 and established a fortification on the Mogami River . In the year 708 AD, “Dewa Country” was created out of the northern half of Echigo Province and was raised in status to Dewa Province in 712 AD. However, at that time the region was still outside the effective control of

110-513: A central administration and an imperial court attended by subordinate clan chieftains but with no permanent capital. By the mid-seventh century, the agricultural lands had grown to a substantial public domain, subject to central policy. The basic administrative unit was the county, and society was organized into occupation groups. Most people were farmers; other were fishers, weavers, potters, artisans, armorers, and ritual specialists. From 600 to 659, Japan sent seven emissaries to Tang China. But for

165-571: A force of over 5000 men. The road was greatly resented by the Emishi tribes, and after an uprising in 767, pacification expeditions were carried out in 776, 778, 794, 801 and 811. The castle was severely damaged in an earthquake in 830. In 878, a major rebellion known as the Ganki Disturbance (元慶の乱) erupted in the region against Yamato rule, which resulted in the destruction of a large part of Akita Castle. Another major uprising occurred in 939, known as

220-483: A new form of poetry at this time. This term was coined to distinguish native styles from those imported from China; within the umbrella of waka poetry, one of the more popular forms is known as tanka ( 短歌 , "short song") . It consists of a total of 31 Japanese syllables (morae) divided over five lines, in the syllabic pattern 5/7/5/7/7. Asuka, Yamato Asuka ( 飛鳥 ) was the Imperial capital of Japan during

275-482: A precedent: Japan never again accepted a "subordinate" status in its relations with China, except for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu , who accepted such a relationship with China in the 15th century. As a result, Japan in this period received no title from Chinese dynasties, while they did send tribute ( 有貢無封 , yūkō mufū ) . From the Chinese point of view, the class or position of Japan was demoted from previous centuries in which

330-681: A sub-division of the Yamato period ( 大和時代 , Yamato-jidai ) , is the first time in Japanese history when the Emperor of Japan ruled relatively uncontested from modern-day Nara Prefecture , then known as Yamato Province . The second half of the Kofun period, exercised power over clans in Kyūshū and Honshū , bestowing titles, some hereditary, on clan chieftains. The Yamato name became synonymous with all of Japan as

385-537: A subordinate status in its relations with China. The introduction of Buddhism to Japan is attributed to the Baekje king Seong in 538, exposing Japan to a new body of religious doctrine. The Soga clan , a Japanese court family that rose to prominence with the ascension of the Emperor Kinmei about 531, favored the adoption of Buddhism and of governmental and cultural models based on Chinese Confucianism . But some at

440-527: A system of patrimonial rule based on an elaborate legal code that emerged from the Taika Reform. The Taika Reform, influenced by Chinese practices, started with land redistribution aimed at ending the existing landholding system of the great clans and their control over domains and occupational groups. What were once called "private lands and private people" ( 私地私民 , shichi shimin ) became "public lands and public people" ( 公地公民 , kōchi kōmin ) , as

495-557: Is an expression of the smile that is called the " archaic smile ". Kudara Kannon at Hōryū-ji is the most prominent Buddhist sculpture from this period. The second stage of Buddhist art , coming after the Asuka (cultural) period, is known as the Hakuhō culture ( 白鳳文化 , Hakuhō Bunka ) , and is generally dated from the Taika Reform (646) until the moving of the capital to Nara in 710. During

550-509: Is believed to have followed the style of the Six Dynasties of China. The characteristics of the sculptures of this age are also referred to as Tori Style, taken from the name of prominent sculptor Kuratsukuri Tori , grandson of Chinese immigrant Shiba Tatto. Some of the characteristics of the style include marked, almond-shaped eyes, and symmetrically arranged folds in the clothing. The most striking and distinguishing feature of these sculptures

605-581: The Daijō-kan ( 太政官 ) , with its eight ministries (for central administration, ceremonies, civil affairs, the imperial household, justice, military affairs, people's affairs, and the treasury). Although the Chinese-style civil service examination system was not adopted, the college office ( 大学寮 , Daigaku Ryō ) was founded for training future bureaucrats based on the Confucian classics. Tradition circumvented

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660-551: The Gokishichidō ( 五畿七道 , "five cities, seven roads") system was the county, and society was organized into occupation groups. Most people were farmers; others were fishers, weavers, potters, artisans, armorers, and ritual specialists. The Soga clan intermarried with the imperial family , and by 587 Soga no Umako , the Soga chieftain, was powerful enough to install his nephew as emperor and later to assassinate him and replace him with

715-491: The Asuka period (538 – 710 AD), which takes its name from this place. It is located in the present-day village of Asuka, Nara Prefecture . Some of the many theories of what the place was named after include the bird common crossbill , or isuka in Japanese, or local geological features, e.g. 洲処 ( suka , meaning sandbar, sandbank or delta) or 崩地 ( asu ) + 処 ( ka ). Or it may have been named in honor of Asuka (or Ashuku) Nyorai,

770-647: The Chinese calendar , developed a system of trade roads (the aforementioned Gokishichidō ), built numerous Buddhist temples , had court chronicles compiled, sent students to China to study Buddhism and Confucianism, and sent Ono no Imoko to China as an emissary ( 遣隋使 , Kenzuishi ) . Six official missions of envoys, priests, and students were sent to China in the seventh century. Some remained twenty years or more; many of those who returned became prominent reformers. The sending of such scholars to learn Chinese political systems showed significant change from envoys in

825-409: The Chinese zodiac year in which the coup took place, 645. Although it did not constitute a legal code, the Taika Reform mandated a series of reforms that established the ritsuryō system of social, fiscal, and administrative mechanisms of the seventh to tenth centuries. Ritsu ( 律 ) was a code of penal laws, while ryō ( 令 ) was an administrative code. Combined, the two terms came to describe

880-454: The Empress Suiko (r. 593–628). Suiko, the first of eight sovereign empresses, is sometimes considered a mere figurehead for Umako and Prince Regent Shōtoku Taishi (574–622). However she wielded power in her own right, and the role of Shōtoku Taishi is often exaggerated to the point of legend. Shōtoku, recognized as a great intellectual of this period of reform, was a devout Buddhist and

935-698: The Kintetsu train line, or by car on Route 169. In the Asuka period , various palaces were constructed for each monarch. As soon as one emperor died, the whole court moved to a newly constructed palace, since it was considered dangerous and ominous to remain in a place where a deceased monarch's spirit might reside. Sometimes even during a single emperor's reign, palaces were changed multiple times due to destruction by fire or ill omens. Since these palaces were entirely constructed from wood, none of them have survived, although some archaeological work in modern times has uncovered such remains as stone bases for pillars. Sakurai

990-481: The government of Dewa Province , as well as ceramic roof tiles , wooden tally boards and documents on varnished paper. The site was proclaimed a National Historic Site in 1939. Archaeological excavations indicate that the site had approximate dimensions of 94 meters east-west and 77 meters north-south. A number of the structures of Akita Castle have been reconstructed on their original foundations. Asuka period The Asuka period ( 飛鳥時代 , Asuka jidai )

1045-562: The imperial Japanese embassies to China were established. Although the missions continued, the transformation of Japan through Chinese influences declined, despite the close connections that had existed during the early Kofun period. Meanwhile, the kingdoms of the Korean peninsula, often at odds with each other, frequently sent diplomatic missions with gifts to Japan, probably with the aim of securing Japanese neutrality or diplomatic/military support in their rivalries; ultimately, this proved to be of

1100-619: The imperial court based in Nara . A number of military expeditions were sent to the area, with armed colonists forming settlements fortified with moats and wooden palisades across central Dewa in what is now the Shōnai area of Yamagata Prefecture . In 733, the fort on the Mogami River was moved north, and a new military settlement, later named “Akita Castle”, was built what is now in the Takashimizu area of

1155-461: The ritsu of the code was adopted from the Chinese system, the ryō was arranged in a local style. Some scholars argue that it was to a certain extent based on Chinese models. The Taihō Code provided for Confucian-model penal provisions (light rather than harsh punishments) and Chinese-style central administration through the Jingi-kan ( 神祇官 ) , which was devoted to Shinto and court rituals, and

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1210-454: The Asuka period as ending with the Taika Reform of 646. Okakura, however, saw it as ending with the transfer of the capital to the Heijō Palace of Nara. Although historians generally use Okakura's dating, many historians of art and architecture prefer Sekino's dating and use the term " Hakuhō period ( 白鳳時代 ) " to refer to the successive period. From the Asuka period in the 6th century, as

1265-422: The Asuka period started with conflicts between clans over religious beliefs, later in the period, the imported religions became syncretized with Japan's native folk beliefs. Some architectural structures built in the period still remain today. Wooden buildings at Hōryū-ji , built in the seventh century, show some influence from Chinese and west Asian countries. For instance, the pillars at Hōryū-ji are similar to

1320-561: The Goguryeo priests left Japan. The Yamato court, concentrated in the Asuka region, exercised power over clans in Kyushu and Honshu, bestowing titles, some hereditary, on clan chieftains. The Yamato name became synonymous with all of Japan as the Yamato rulers suppressed the clans and acquired agricultural lands. Based on Chinese models (including the adoption of the Chinese written language), they developed

1375-571: The Japanese equivalent of Akshobhya , one of the Five Buddhas of Wisdom, who is still worshiped in the Asuka-dera (Asuka Temple), the Asuka-niimasu-jinja (the shrine for his manifestation as a Shinto god), and several other structures from those days. Archaeology projects continue to uncover relics from these ruins. Recent discoveries in the area include Wado coins , believed to be some of

1430-648: The Kofun period, in which the five kings of Wa sent envoys for the approval of their domains. In a move greatly resented by the Chinese, Shōtoku sought equality with the Chinese emperor by sending official correspondence that was addressed, "From the Son of Heaven in the Land of the Rising Sun to the Son of Heaven of the Land of the Setting Sun." Some would argue that Shōtoku's bold step set

1485-523: The Sea of Japan directly to the Noto Peninsula , they abandoned the northern route via the western coast of Hokkaido . The Akita Castle then lost its diplomatic functions, which affected even its physical appearance. Akita Castle was surrounded by earthen ramparts and had gates at each of the cardinal points. Archaeological excavations have found the foundations of the barracks as well as official buildings for

1540-582: The Soga and the Nakatomi and Mononobe clans for more than a century, during which the Soga temporarily emerged ascendant. In the Taika Reform , the Funeral Simplification Edict was proclaimed, and the building of large kofun ( tumuli ) was banned. The edict also regulated size and shape of kofun by classes. As a result, later kofun , though much smaller, were distinguished by elaborate frescoes. Paintings and decorations in those kofun indicate

1595-746: The Tenki Disturbance (天慶の乱). However, Akita Castle was restored after each disaster and remained in use until the mid- Heian period . From the 9th through the 11th centuries, Akita Castle was the residence of the “Dewa-no-suke”, or nominal deputy governor of Dewa Province. The title was later changed to “Akita-no-suke”. However, the castle was abandoned around 1050 during the Former Nine Years War . The imperial dynasty built this northernmost fortification because it thought necessary to have an outpost there to properly receive (and occasionally refuse) diplomatic delegations from Balhae /Bohai. Because of

1650-571: The Yamato court—such as the Nakatomi family , which was responsible for performing Shinto rituals at court, and the Mononobe , a military clan—were set on maintaining their prerogatives and resisted the alien religious influence of Buddhism. The Soga introduced Chinese-modeled fiscal policies, established the first national treasury, and considered the kingdoms of Korea as trade partners rather than as objects of territorial expansion. Acrimony continued between

1705-445: The Yamato rulers suppressed other clans and acquired agricultural lands. Based on Chinese models (including the adoption of the Chinese written language ), they developed a central administration and an imperial court attended by subordinate clan chieftains but with no permanent capital. By the mid-seventh century, the agricultural lands had grown to a substantial public domain, subject to central policy. The basic administrative unit of

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1760-585: The city of Akita. Abe no Yakamaro was sent as Chinjufu-Shōgun , and Akita Castle became a base of operations to colonize the region and to subdue the native Emishi peoples. In 737, a major military operation began to connect Akita Castle with Taga Castle on the Pacific Coast. Over the next 50 years, additional fortifications were erected at Okachi in Dewa Province and Monofu in Mutsu Province involving

1815-480: The court now sought to assert its control over all of Japan and to make the people direct subjects of the throne. Land was no longer hereditary but reverted to the state at the death of the owner. Taxes were levied on harvests and on silk, cotton, cloth, thread, and other products. A corvée (labor) tax was established for military conscription and building public works. The hereditary titles of clan chieftains were abolished, and three ministries were established to advise

1870-517: The government. The revolt was led by Prince Naka no Ōe and Nakatomi no Kamatari , who seized control of the court from the Soga family and introduced the Taika Reform . The Japanese era corresponding to the years 645–649 was thus named Taika ( 大化 ) , meaning "great change" in reference to the Reform. The revolt leading to the Taika Reform is commonly called the Isshi Incident , referring to

1925-472: The greatest benefit to Baekje , as Japanese military support for that kingdom increased. People, many of them artisans and skilled workers, also emigrated to Japan from the Korean peninsula, including two high priests who arrived in Japan in 595: Eji from Goguryeo and Esō from Baekje. Kanroku also came from Baekje, and was a tutor to Prince Shōtoku , counseling him politically. When Japan allied with Baekje,

1980-485: The hope of keeping it above political frays, such as those precipitated by the Soga clan. Within the imperial family, however, power struggles continued as the emperor's brother and son vied for the throne in the Jinshin War . The brother, who later reigned as Emperor Tenmu , consolidated Tenji's reforms and state power in the imperial court. The ritsuryō system was codified in several stages. The Ōmi Code , named after

2035-545: The irregularity and unpredictability with which those delegations arrived, the dynasty once decided to abolish the Akita Castle in 770 but withdrew the decision ten years later. The very existence of the Akita Castle depended on Balhae/Bohai delegations until the end of the 8th century when the Balhae/Bohai delegations definitively changed their navigation route to Japan as they learned by then to build ships large enough to cross

2090-458: The kings received titles. On the other hand, Japan loosened its political relationships with China and consequently established extraordinary cultural and intellectual relationships. About twenty years after the deaths of Shōtoku Taishi (in 622), Soga no Umako (in 626), and Empress Suiko (in 628), court intrigues over succession led to a palace coup in 645 against the Soga clan 's monopolized control of

2145-434: The late Kofun period. The introduction of Buddhism marked a change in Japanese society. The Asuka period is also distinguished by the change in the name of the country from Wa ( 倭 ) to Nippon ( 日本 ) . The term "Asuka period" was first used to describe a period in the history of Japanese fine-arts and architecture. It was proposed by fine-arts scholars Sekino Tadasu ( 関野貞 ) and Okakura Kakuzō around 1900. Sekino dated

2200-498: The late seventh century, and simpler but distinctive tombs continued in use throughout the following period. In 675 the use of livestock and the consumption of some wild animals (horse, cattle, dogs, monkeys, birds) was banned by Emperor Tenmu due to the influence of Buddhism. This ban was renewed throughout the Asuka period, but ended with the Heian period. The pest animals, deer and wild boar , were not affected by this ban. Taoism

2255-512: The latter half of the 8th century, a large number of songs and poems were composed and performed by various ranked people from warriors to the Emperor. The earliest collection of these poems is known as the Man'yōshū ( 万葉集 , "collection of 10,000 leaves") . This includes works by several remarkable poets such as Princess Nukata and Kakinomoto no Hitomaro . Waka ( 和歌 , "Japanese song") also emerged as

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2310-676: The next 32 years, during a period when Japan was formulating its laws based on Chinese texts, none were sent. Though Japan cut off diplomatic relations with China, Japan sent 11 emissaries to Silla , and Silla is also recorded in Nihon Shoki as sending embassies to Japan 17 times during the reigns of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō . The ruling classes of Yamato and Baekje were on amicable terms, and Yamato deployed its navy to aid Baekje, in 660–663, against an invasion by Silla and Tang China (see battle of Baekgang ). Numerous official missions of envoys, priests, and students were sent to China in

2365-497: The oldest coins in Japan, and paintings in the Kitora and Takamatsuzuka Kofun , or tombs. The Ishibutai Kofun is also located in Asuka. On March 12, 2004, the discovery of the remains of a residence's main building adjacent to the kofun was announced. It is likely that the residence belonged to Soga no Umako , who is believed to have been entombed in the kofun. Asuka can be reached from either Okadera Station or Asuka Station on

2420-603: The pillars of the Parthenon of ancient Greece , as seen in their entasis . The five-storied pagoda ( 五重の塔 , go-jū no tō ) is a transformation from the Indian mound-like reliquary structure called a stupa . In addition, mural paintings in the Takamatsuzuka and Kitora kofun dating from the fifth century show strong influence from Tang dynasty and Goguryeo wall painting. The Japanese Buddhist sculpture art of this period

2475-581: The provincial site of Emperor Tenji's court, was completed in about 668. Further codification took place with the promulgation by Empress Jitō in 689 of the Asuka Kiyomihara Code , named for the location of the late Emperor Temmu's court. The ritsuryō system was further consolidated and codified in 701 under the Taihō Code , which, except for a few modifications and being relegated to primarily ceremonial functions, remained in force until 1868. Though

2530-420: The seventh century. Some remained twenty years or more; many of those who returned became prominent reformers. In a move greatly resented by the Chinese, Shotoku sought equality with the Chinese emperor by sending official correspondence addressed "From the Son of Heaven in the Land of the Rising Sun to the Son of Heaven of the Land of the Setting Sun." Shotoku's bold step set a precedent: Japan never again accepted

2585-488: The spread of Taoism and Buddhism in this period; the Takamatsuzuka Kofun and Kitora Kofun are notable for their wall paintings. The use of elaborate kofun tombs by the imperial family and other elite thus fell out of use amidst the rise of prevailing new Buddhist beliefs, which put greater emphasis on the transience of human life. Commoners and the elite in outlying regions, however, continued to use kofun until

2640-455: The system, however, as aristocratic birth continued to be the main qualification for higher position, and titles were soon hereditary again. The Taihō Code did not address the selection of the sovereign. Several empresses reigned from the fifth to the eighth centuries, but after 770 succession was restricted to males, usually from father to son, although sometimes from ruler to brother or uncle. Fujiwara no Fuhito , son of Nakatomi no Kamatari ,

2695-433: The throne: The country was divided into provinces headed by governors appointed by the court, and the provinces were further divided into districts and villages. Naka no Ōe assumed the title of Crown Prince , and Kamatari was granted a new family name— Fujiwara —in recognition of his great service to the imperial family. Fujiwara no Kamatari became the first in a long line of court aristocrats. Another, long-lasting change

2750-444: Was a period in the history of Japan lasting from 538 to 710, although its beginning could be said to overlap with the preceding Kofun period . The Yamato polity evolved greatly during the Asuka period, which is named after the Asuka region, about 25 km (16 mi) south of the modern city of Nara . The Asuka period is characterized by its significant artistic , social, and political transformations, having their origins in

2805-520: Was also introduced during the Asuka period. The octagonal shape of monarchs' tombs of this age and the celestial maps drawn in the Kitora and Takamatsuzuka kofun reflect the Taoist cosmology. Taoist belief was eventually amalgamated with Shintō and Buddhism to establish new styles of rituals. Onmyōdō ( 陰陽道 ) , a sort of Japanese geomancy and cosmology , is one of the fruits of these religious mixtures. While

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2860-545: Was among those who produced the Taihō Ritsuryō. According to history book Shoku Nihongi ( 続日本紀 ) , two of the 19 members of the committee drafting the Taihō Code were Chinese priests (Shoku Shugen and Satsu Koukaku). Chinese priests also took an active part as linguistic specialists, and received rewards two times from Empress Jitō . Chinese culture had been introduced to Japan by the Three Kingdoms of Korea before

2915-557: Was briefly the capital of Japan during the reign of Emperor Ingyō . The life of the Imperial court was centered at the Palace of Tohotsu where the emperor lived in 457–479. Other emperors also built palaces at Asuka, including In 640–642, the Imperial court briefly moved to the Kudara Palace in Kōryō, Nara ; then the emperor returned to Asuka where he lived at In 645–654, the court moved to

2970-414: Was the use of the name Nihon ( 日本 ) , or sometimes Dai Nippon ( 大日本 , "Great Japan") in diplomatic documents and chronicles. In 662, following the reigns of Naka no Ōe's uncle and mother, Naka no Ōe assumed the throne as Emperor Tenji , taking the additional title Emperor of Japan . This new title was intended to improve the Yamato clan's image and to emphasize the divine origins of the imperial family in

3025-464: Was well-read in Chinese literature . He was influenced by Confucian principles, including the Mandate of Heaven , which suggested that the sovereign ruled at the will of a supreme force. Under Shōtoku's direction, Confucian models of rank and etiquette were adopted, and his Seventeen-article constitution prescribed ways to bring harmony to a chaotic society in Confucian terms. In addition, Shōtoku adopted

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