Japan
The first signs of occupation on the Japanese archipelago appeared with a
Paleolithic culture around 30,000 BC, followed from around 14,000 BC by the Jo-
mon period, a Mesolithic to Neolithic semi-sedentary hunter-gatherer culture of
pit dwelling and a rudimentary form of agriculture. Decorated clay vessels from
this period, often with plaited patterns, are some of the oldest surviving
examples of pottery in the world.
The Yayoi period, starting around the third century BC, introduced new
practices, such as wet-rice farming, iron and bronze-making and a new style of
pottery, brought by migrants from China or Korea. With the development of Yayoi
culture, a predominantly agricultural society emerged in Japan. A
middle Jo-mon period vessel (3000 to 2000 BC). A middle Jo-mon period vessel
(3000 to 2000 BC). The Great Buddha at To-dai-ji, Nara, cast in 752. The Great
Buddha at To-dai-ji, Nara, cast in 752.
The Japanese first appear in written history in China’s Book of Han. According
to the Chinese Records of the Three Kingdoms, the most powerful kingdom on the
archipelago during the third century was called Yamataikoku.
Japan was first introduced to Buddhism from Korea, but the subsequent
development of Japanese Buddhism and Buddhist sculptures were primarily
influenced by China. Despite early resistance, Buddhism was promoted by the
ruling class and eventually gained growing acceptance since the Asuka period.
The Nara period of the eighth century marked the first emergence of a strong
central Japanese state, centered around an imperial court in the city of Heijo--
kyo-, or modern day Nara. In addition to the continuing adoption of Chinese
administrative practices, the Nara period is characterized by the appearance of
a nascent written literature with the completion of the massive chronicles
Kojiki (712) and Nihonshoki (720).
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