Japan History - Ancient/Classical Japan

Kofun era (the Yamato Period)

At about AD 405, the Japanese court officially adopted the Chinese writing system introduced via Korea. During the sixth century, Buddhism was introduced to Japan through Korea. Interactions with China during the Tang Dynasty increased dramatically. These events revolutionized Japanese culture and marked the beginning of a long period of Chinese cultural influence. By the Nara period, from the establishment of the first fixed capital at Nara (later moved to Kyoto) in 710 until 1867, the emperors of the Yamato dynasty were the nominal rulers, but actual power was usually held at times by powerful court nobles, at times by regents, and at times by shoguns (military governors).

According to Shoku Nihongi, Emperor Kammu's mother Takano-no-Niigasa was a descendent of King Muryeong of Baekje.

Nara Period

In 710, Empress Gemmei moved the capital to Nara. The city was modeled on the capital of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, Chang'an (now Xi'an). During the Nara Period, political developments were quite low, since members of the imperial family struggled for power with the Buddhist clergy as well as the regents, the Fujiwara clan. Japan did enjoy friendly relations with the Korean peninsula as well as formal relationships with Tang China. In 784, the capital was moved to Nagaoka (to escape the Buddhist priests) and later to Kyoto in 794.

Heian Period

The Heian period is the last division of the classical Japanese history that runs from 794 to 1185. The Heian period is considered the peak of the Japanese imperial court and noted for its art and especially in poetry and literature. The name heian is a word that means "peace" in Japanese.

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It uses material from the Wikipedia article "History of Japan".

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