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83-670: Shōni ( 少弐氏 , Shōni-shi ) was a family of Japanese nobles descended from the Fujiwara family , many of whom held high government offices in Kyūshū . Prior to the Kamakura period (1185–1333), "Shōni" was originally a title and post within the Kyūshū ( Dazaifu ) government, roughly translating to "Junior Counselor", and working under a Daini (大弐). Dominated by members of the Fujiwara branch family of Mutō,

166-480: A "monopoly" to the offices of sesshō and kampaku , and served in turn. The political power had shifted away from the court nobility in Kyoto to the new warrior class in the countryside. However, Fujiwara remained close advisers, regents and ministers to the emperors for centuries; the family retained political reputation and influence even until the 20th century (such as Fumimaro Konoe and Morihiro Hosokawa , who became

249-400: A Fujiwara). Indigenous art also flourished under the Fujiwara after centuries of imitating Chinese forms. Vividly colored yamato-e (Japanese style) paintings of court life and stories about temples and shrines became common in the mid and late Heian periods, setting patterns for Japanese art to this day. Decline in food production, growth of the population, and competition for resources among

332-513: 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

415-808: A cursive form of kanji writing and an art form in itself. Hiragana gave written expression to the spoken word and, with it, to the rise in Japan's famous vernacular literature, much of it written by court women who had not been trained in Chinese as had their male counterparts. Three late tenth century and early eleventh century women presented their views of life and romance at the Heian court in Kagerō Nikki ("The Gossamer Years") by "the mother of Michitsuna", Makura no Sōshi ( The Pillow Book ) by Sei Shōnagon , and Genji Monogatari ( Tale of Genji ) by Murasaki Shikibu (herself

498-563: A de facto return to conditions before the Taika Reform. Within decades of Emperor Daigo's death, the Fujiwara had absolute control over the court. By the year 1000, Fujiwara no Michinaga was able to enthrone and dethrone emperors at will. Little authority was left for traditional officialdom, and government affairs were handled through the Fujiwara family's private administration. The Fujiwara had become what historian George B. Sansom has called "hereditary dictators". The Fujiwara presided over

581-400: A period of cultural and artistic flowering at the imperial court and among the aristocracy. There was great interest in graceful poetry and vernacular literature. Japanese writing had long depended on Chinese ideograms ( kanji ), but these were now supplemented by kana , two types of phonetic Japanese script: katakana , a mnemonic device using parts of Chinese ideograms; and hiragana ,

664-432: 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

747-537: 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

830-472: 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

913-564: 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

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996-529: 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 the Asuka period as ending with the Taika Reform of 646. Okakura, however, saw it as ending with

1079-455: 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

1162-509: 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

1245-581: 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

1328-435: The kabane Fujiwara no Ason ( 藤原朝臣 ) on Kamatari. The surname passed to the descendants of Fujiwara no Fuhito (659–720), the second son and heir of Kamatari, who was prominent at the court of several emperors and empresses during the early Nara period . He made his daughter Miyako a concubine of Emperor Monmu . Her son, Prince Obito became Emperor Shōmu . Fuhito succeeded in making another of his daughters, Kōmyōshi ,

1411-458: 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

1494-578: 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 the Yamato rulers suppressed other clans and acquired agricultural lands. Based on Chinese models (including

1577-471: The Hokke managed to establish a hereditary claim to the position of regent , either for an underage emperor ( sesshō ) or for an adult one ( kampaku ). Some prominent Fujiwaras occupied these positions more than once, and for more than one emperor. Lesser members of the Fujiwara were court nobles , provincial governors and vice governors, members of the provincial aristocracy , and samurai . The Fujiwara

1660-513: The In no chō and of the rise of the military class throughout the country. Military might rather than civil authority dominated the government. A struggle for succession in the mid-twelfth century gave the Fujiwara an opportunity to regain their former power. Fujiwara no Yorinaga sided with the retired emperor in a violent battle in 1158 against the heir apparent, who was supported by the Taira and Minamoto. In

1743-548: The Kantō region , southwest of modern Tokyo) to defeat the Taira, and with them the child emperor Emperor Antoku they controlled, in the Genpei War (1180–85). After this downfall, the younger branches of the Fujiwara clan turned their focus from politics to the arts, producing literary scholars including Fujiwara no Shunzei and Fujiwara no Teika . Only forty years after Michinaga 's death, his Fujiwara heirs were not able to prevent

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1826-562: 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

1909-461: 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

1992-422: 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

2075-462: The Fujiwara by the ninth century had intermarried with the imperial family, and one of their members was the first head of the Emperor's Private Office. While the earliest parts of the Heian period was marked by unusually strong emperors governing themselves (in particular from Emperor Kanmu to Emperor Saga (781–823)), the Fujiwara started to rebuild their influence first under Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu in

2158-543: The Fujiwara, felt threatened with the loss of their lands. Emperor Go-Sanjō also established the In no chō , or Office of the Cloistered Emperor, which was held by a succession of emperors who abdicated to devote themselves to behind-the-scenes governance, or insei ( Cloistered rule ). The In no chō filled the void left by the decline of Fujiwara power. Rather than being banished, the Fujiwara were mostly retained in their old positions of civil dictator and minister of

2241-459: The Fujiwara. Family administrations now became public institutions. As the most powerful family, the Fujiwara governed Japan and determined the general affairs of state, such as succession to the throne. Family and state affairs were thoroughly intermixed, a pattern followed among other families, monasteries, and even the imperial family. As the Soga had taken control of the throne in the sixth century,

2324-512: 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

2407-606: The Hōgen Disturbance ( Hōgen no Ran ) led to the Taira emerging as the most powerful clan in 1156. During the Heiji Disturbance ( Heiji no Ran ) in 1160 the Taira defeated the coalition of Fujiwara and Minamoto forces. This defeat marked the end of the Fujiwara's dominance. During the 13th century, the Fujiwara Hok-ke was split into five regent houses : Konoe , Takatsukasa , Kujō , Nijō and Ichijō . They had

2490-648: 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

2573-522: The Prime Ministers). As such, they had a certain political power and much influence, as often the rival warriors and later bakufu sought their alliance. Oda Nobunaga and his sister Oichi claimed to have descent from the Taira and Fujiwara clans; regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi and shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu were related by marriage to various families from Fujiwara clan. Empress Shōken , wife of Emperor Meiji ,

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2656-629: 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

2739-571: 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

2822-471: The accession of Emperor Go-Sanjō (reigned 1068–73), the first emperor since Emperor Uda whose mother was not a Fujiwara. The system of government by retired emperor ( daijō tennō ) ( cloistered rule ) beginning from 1087 further weakened the Fujiwara's control over the Imperial Court. The Fujiwara-dominated Heian period approached its end along disturbances of 12th century. The dynastic struggle known as

2905-453: 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 the Gokishichidō ( 五畿七道 , "five cities, seven roads") system

2988-464: The beginning of the reign of his son Emperor Suzaku , the Fujiwara again re-established their dominance of the court with the leadership of Fujiwara no Tadahira . Nevertheless, the Fujiwara were not demoted by Emperor Daigo but in many ways became stronger during his reign. Central control of Japan had continued to decline, and the Fujiwara, along with other great families and religious foundations, acquired ever larger shōen and greater wealth during

3071-401: The center while being bypassed in decision making. In time, many of the Fujiwara were replaced, mostly by members of the rising Minamoto family. While the Fujiwara fell into disputes among themselves and formed northern and southern factions, the insei system allowed the paternal line of the imperial family to gain influence over the throne. The period from 1086 to 1156 was the age of supremacy of

3154-448: The clan remained close advisors to the succeeding Emperors. The Fujiwara clan's political influence was initiated during the Asuka period . Nakatomi no Kamatari, a member of the lower-nobility Nakatomi family led a coup against the Soga in 645 and initiated a series of sweeping government reforms that would be known as the Taika Reform . In 668 Emperor Tenji (reigned 668–671), bestowed

3237-480: 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

3320-447: The early tenth century. By the early Heian period, the shōen had obtained legal status, and the large religious establishments sought clear titles in perpetuity, waiver of taxes, and immunity from government inspection of the shōen they held. Those people who worked the land found it advantageous to transfer title to shōen holders in return for a share of the harvest. People and lands were increasingly beyond central control and taxation,

3403-434: The emperor. The family reached the peak of its power under Fujiwara no Michinaga (966–1027). He was the grandfather of three emperors, the father of six empresses or imperial consorts, and the grandfather of seven additional imperial consorts; it is no exaggeration to say that it was Michinaga who ruled Japan during this period, not the titular Emperors. As a result of these unusually strong familial links, Michinaga never took

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3486-529: The empress consort of Emperor Shōmu. She was the first empress consort of Japan who was not a daughter of the imperial family itself. Fuhito had four sons; and each of them became the progenitor of a cadet branch of the clan: Among them, the Hokke came to be considered as the leaders of the entire clan. All four brothers died in 737 during a major smallpox epidemic in Japan . During the Heian period of Japanese history,

3569-514: The end, the Fujiwara were destroyed, the old system of government supplanted, and the insei system left powerless as bushi took control of court affairs, marking a turning point in Japanese history. Within a year, the Taira and Minamoto clashed, and a twenty-year period of Taira ascendancy began. The Taira were seduced by court life and ignored problems in the provinces. Finally, Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147–99) rose from his headquarters at Kamakura (in

3652-674: The family would play an important role in commanding the defense against the Mongol invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281. They would later ally with Ashikaga Takauji and the Northern Court in the Nanboku-chō Wars of the 14th century. Repeatedly defeated by the Ōuchi family in the 14th and 15th centuries, the Shōni gradually lost their territories, and were eliminated entirely by the Ryūzōji clan in

3735-436: The first half of the ninth century. Fuyutsugu's son Fujiwara no Yoshifusa was the first person not from the imperial family to become regent for a minor emperor when he gained that position when his grandson was enthroned as Emperor Seiwa in 858. His adopted son, Fujiwara no Mototsune , had himself further appointed kampaku (regent for an adult emperor, a newly invented position). After Mototsune's death Emperor Uda (who

3818-400: 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 was well-read in Chinese literature . He

3901-431: The former Princess Kazuko and Prince Mikasa's elder daughter, the former Princess Yasuko , married into Takatsukasa and Konoe families, respectively. Likewise a daughter of the last shōgun married a second cousin of Emperor Shōwa. Asuka period The Asuka period ( 飛鳥時代 , Asuka jidai ) was a period in the history of Japan lasting from 538 to 710, although its beginning could be said to overlap with

3984-411: The government of Japan 794–1160. There is no clear starting point of their dominance. However, their domination of civil administration was lost by the establishment of the first shogunate (i.e., Kamakura shogunate ) under Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1192. Fujiwara princes initially served as highest ministers of the imperial Court ( kampaku ) and regents ( sesshō ) for underage monarchs. The Fujiwara were

4067-517: 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

4150-406: The great families all led to the gradual decline of Fujiwara power and gave rise to military disturbances in the mid-tenth and eleventh centuries. Members of the Fujiwara, Taira , and Minamoto families – all of whom had descended from the imperial family – attacked one another, claimed control over vast tracts of conquered land, set up rival regimes, and generally broke

4233-424: 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,

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4316-485: 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

4399-412: 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

4482-450: 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

4565-462: 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

4648-526: The mid-16th century. Fujiwara clan The 8th century clan history Tōshi Kaden ( 藤氏家伝 ) states the following at the biography of the clan's patriarch, Fujiwara no Kamatari (614–669): "Kamatari, the Inner Palace Minister who was also called ‘Chūrō , ’ was a man of the Takechi district of Yamato Province. His forebears descended from Ame no Koyane no Mikoto; for generations they had administered

4731-517: The most prominent families supported by the new military class. In the ninth and tenth centuries, much authority was lost to the great families, who disregarded the Chinese-style land and tax systems imposed by the government in Kyoto. Stability came to Heian Japan, but, even though succession was ensured for the Imperial family through heredity, power again concentrated in the hands of one noble family,

4814-676: 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

4897-501: The peace of Japan. The Fujiwara controlled the throne until the reign of Emperor Go-Sanjō (1068–73), the first emperor not born of a Fujiwara mother since the ninth century. Emperor Go-Sanjō, determined to restore imperial control through strong personal rule, implemented reforms to curb Fujiwara influence. He also established an office to compile and validate estate records with the aim of reasserting central control. Many shōen were not properly certified, and large landholders, like

4980-603: 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

5063-433: 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 the late Kofun period. The introduction of Buddhism marked a change in Japanese society. The Asuka period

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5146-424: The proverbial "power behind the throne" for centuries. Apparently they never aspired to supplant the imperial dynasty. Instead, the clan's influence stemmed from its matrimonial alliances with the imperial family. Because consorts of crown princes, younger sons, and emperors were generally Fujiwara women, the male heads of the Fujiwara house were often the father-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, or maternal grandfather of

5229-581: 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

5312-519: The rise of the warrior class , the Fujiwara gradually lost its control over mainstream politics. The Northern Fujiwara (Ōshū Fujiwara) ruled the Tōhoku region (northeast Honshū ) of Japan during the 12th century. Beyond the 12th century, they continued to monopolize the titles of Sesshō and Kampaku for much of the time until the system was abolished in the Meiji era . Though their influence declined,

5395-432: The rites for Heaven and Earth, harmonizing the space between men and the gods. Therefore, it was ordered their clan was to be called Ōnakatomi" The clan originated when the founder, Nakatomi no Kamatari (614–669) of the Nakatomi clan , was rewarded by Emperor Tenji with the honorific "Fujiwara" – after the wisteria ( 藤 , fuji ) field on Mount Tōno (in present-day Sakurai City ) where Kamatari and

5478-420: 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

5561-488: 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

5644-455: 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 ,

5727-435: The then-Prince Naka, who he befriended in a game of kemari , and conspired to eliminate the Soga clan  – which evolved as a surname for Kamatari and his descendants. In time, Fujiwara became known as a clan name. The Fujiwara dominated the Japanese politics of the Heian period (794–1185) through the monopoly of regent positions, Sesshō and Kampaku . The family's primary strategy for central influence

5810-433: 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

5893-457: The title of Kampaku—he held more than the power that the position would bring, and had no need of the title. The Fujiwara clan is featured prominently in The Pillow Book , by Sei Shōnagon , and the character of Genji is partially based on Michinaga in the eponymous Tale of Genji . The Fujiwara Regency was the main feature of government during most of the Heian era. Kyoto ( Heian-kyō )

5976-415: The title over time came to be used as a family name. When Minamoto no Yoritomo established the Kamakura shogunate in 1185, he reorganized the administration of Kyūshū. The post of Chinzei Bugyō replaced that of Daini, and the Shōni were similarly pushed out of their traditional hereditary position; members of the family were, however, still granted various other important posts in the region. Members of

6059-571: 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 a sub-division of the Yamato period ( 大和時代 , Yamato-jidai ) , is the first time in Japanese history when

6142-618: Was a descendant of the Fujiwara clan. Until the marriage of the Crown Prince Hirohito (Emperor Shōwa) to Princess Nagako of Kuni (posthumously Empress Kōjun ) in January 1924, the principal consorts of emperors and crown princes had often been recruited from one of the Sekke Fujiwara. Imperial princesses were often married to Fujiwara lords – throughout a millennium at least. As recently as Emperor Shōwa's third daughter,

6225-520: 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

6308-545: 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

6391-463: Was geopolitically a better seat of government; with good river access to the sea, it could be reached by land routes from the eastern provinces. Just before the move to the Heian-kyō, the Emperor had abolished universal conscription in the eighth century and soon local, private militaries came into being. The Fujiwara and the clans of Taira and Minamoto created later during the ninth century were among

6474-456: 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 the Chinese calendar , developed

6557-456: Was not the son of a Fujiwara daughter) managed to regain control of much of government. However, after abdicating in favour of his son, Emperor Daigo (897–930), while apparently intending to control government from retirement, Mototsune's son Fujiwara no Tokihira managed to maneuver himself back to very prominent position until his early death in 909. The remaining period of Daigo's reign was again relatively free from Fujiwara dominance, but from

6640-582: Was one of the four great families that dominated Japanese politics during the Heian Period (794 AC–1185 AC), and the most important of them at that time. The others were the Tachibana , the Taira and the Minamoto . The Fujiwara exercised tremendous power, especially during the period of regency governments in the 10th and 11th centuries, having many emperors as practically puppet monarchs . The Fujiwara dominated

6723-481: 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 the Empress Suiko (r. 593–628). Suiko,

6806-414: 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

6889-462: Was through the marrying of Fujiwara daughters to the Emperors . Through this, the Fujiwara would gain influence over the next emperor who would, according to family tradition of that time, be raised in the household of his mother's side and owe loyalty to his grandfather. As abdicated emperors took over power by exercising insei ( 院政 , cloistered rule) at the end of the 11th century, then followed by

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