Yamato Period

The **Yamato Period** (Japanese: 大和時代, Hepburn: *Yamato-jidai*) was a period of Japanese history corresponding roughly to 250 CE - 710 CE, separated into the *Kofun* and *Asuka* Periods. It was a period of rapidly increasing centralisation across the country and likely coincided with large scale waves of immigration from China and Korea. During this time, the Yamato Dynasty first came to power in Yamato Province (modern Nara prefecture) likely around 4th Century CE.

The first Emperor considered to have historically accurate dates for his reign is that of *Kenmei* (欽明天皇, *Kinmei-tennō*) reigning from 539 - 571. After the disastrous battle of Baekgang in 663 CE, a succession crisis occurred between Prince Ōama (大海人) and his nephew Prince Ōtomo (大友). Ultimately won by Ōama, the reign of the new Emperor Tenmu (天武天皇) was a period of great change for Japan; a series of military reforms led to the creation of a conscript system and in turn the gradual militarisation of the country.

The period was also notable for being the time at which Buddhism was introduced to Japan, likely through Korea. This religion was soon to have long-lasting impacts upon the Yamato state and later Japanese culture.

## History

### Kofun Period

The **Kofun** period (typically recorded as 250 - 538 CE) was named for its elaborate burial mounds named "*Kofun*" (古墳 or "*kúbjun*" in Middle Chinese). The rulers around Yamato province seemed to have possessed hegemony of *kofun* construction, or at least were the most prolific. However, they were not the dominant rulers of Japan, as the existence of other powers is evident through archaeological finds and the legend of Yamato Takeru (ヤマトタケルノミコト, *Yamato Takeru no Mikoto*). Takeru is allegedly sent by his father, Emperor Keikō (景行天皇, *Keikō-tennō*) to fight a rival king (*Ōkimi*, 大王) in Izumo Province. Archaeological evidence also suggests a strong local monarchy in Kibi Province just to the south of Izumo, and finds as far away as Kyushu seem to suggest that the Yamato rulers were merely one of many monarchies in Japan at the time.

By the 5th and 6th centuries, the Yamato rulers had become the most powerful polity in Japan, ruling through a number of smaller but nonetheless influential clans named the *Gōzoku* (豪族, literally "prominent clan"). These clans were only nominally ruled by the Yamato Court and likely acted semi-independently. Nonetheless, the name *Yamato* seems to have taken on a meaning of supreme power, or at least as the head of the Yamato Court. Clans like the Soga and Ōtomo began to establish themselves as key parts of the court. Patriarchs of the clans were bestowed *kabane* (姓), noble titles such as *Omi* (臣) and *Muraji* (連) that denoted their authority and prestige. The title of *Tennō* was given posthumously and only to the leaders of the Yamato Court.

### Asuka Period

The **Asuka** period (538 - 710 CE) is divided from the **Kofun** period by the arrival of Buddhism (although many historians admit that the two periods likely have considerable overlap). The introduction and spread of Buddhism is traditionally attributed to Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子) although the recorded actions of his life are considered highly exaggerated. During this time, the Yamato Court had come to be the uncontested rulers of central and southern Japan. The *Gokishichidō* (五畿七道, "five provinces and seven circuits") was codified, denominating separate authoritative regions across the country. Authority and government were based mostly on Chinese models, due to the influence of the Tang Dynasty to who Shōtoku had sent an emissary in order to learn. This was a great contrast to the previous Kofun period, during which the "Five Kings of Wa" had sent emissaries in order to gain Chinese backing for their individual domains. In a great display of the Japanese view of the world, Shōtoku addressed letters to the Emperor of China as "From the Son of Heaven in the Land of the Rising Sun to the Son of Heaven in the Land of the Setting Sun", indicating that the Japanese now viewed themselves as equals to the Chinese.