|
It is generally believed that Japan
was founded in 660 BC, with the first emperor, Jimmu.
After ascending the throne and ruling over Kyushu,
Emperor Jimmu expanded his empire northward to
Yamato. During this time, Korea's influence on
Japan's culture was considerable. Korea had made
great strides in their culture, significantly
influenced by China, and these influences were passed
on to Japan.
By the 5th century with the help of
the Paekche kingdom in Korea, Chinese writings were
beginning to be used in court and around 430,
historiographers were appointed in an effort to keep
accurate records. Buddhism, along with its priests,
images, scriptures, etc., was brought to Japan during
this time from Korea as well, which made a noteworthy
impact on Japan. Although the relationship between
Korea and Japan was weakening, Buddhism was firmly
entrenched in Japan's culture, with it becoming the
national religion by the 7th century.
Back
to Top
Using China's centralized
government as a model, Japan drafted their first
constitution, which established court officials on a
hierarchy. In 710, Nara became the capital and in 794
the imperial residence was moved to Kyoto and remained
the capital until 1868.
The 9th century brought about
change with the emperors becoming private,
disappearing from public life, and leaving
governmental affairs with those under them. It was
during this time that the Fujiwara, the main
aristocratic family, essentially became the leaders of
Japan. In 858 they took power and kept it for three
centuries. The period under Michinaga, considered to
be the supreme Fujiwara leader, is considered to be
Japanese literature's "classical age." It also
brought about a change from centralized government to
one of dividing up the country into great estates.
Initially joining together for
protection, warriors from the Taira and the Minamoto
clans eventually gained recognition for the military
abilities (the Taira in the southwest and the Minamoto
in the east). When these clans started broaden their
power to the court, a power struggle began. After two
wars, the first in 1156 and the second in 1159-60, the
Minamoto were defeated by the Taira who then took
control from the Fujiwara. In 1180, the same year the
Taira leader's infant son became emperor, the
Minamoto's led an revolt that sent the Taira out of
the capital. The war ended in 1185 and Yorimoto, the
Minamoto leader, became Japan's leader.
One of the things Yorimoto did was
create a separation of the military from the
government and established a military capital in
Kamakura in 1185. It was also during this time that
feudalism grew stronger until it surpassed that of the
imperial organization. When Yorimoto was appointed to
the position of "shogun" (Seitaishogun), it
further crystallized his power in Japan, superceding
that of the emperor and his court.
The Minamoto clan was eliminated by
the Hojo family, who then became the military rulers
of Japan in 1219. The Hojo's had the emperor appoint
shoguns, thus allowing the Hojo's to have all the
power as regents. The Hojo's never became shoguns, in
spite of this they kept their power for over one
hundred years.
Back to Top
Other Related Sites...
Information provided by the Japanese Embassy
|