Unit 1

Early Japanese Culture

From Kano Tsunebobu (1636–1713 ): a copy of a painting by Kongshan.

Early Japanese Culture

Archeologists have found traces of human activity in Japan (Nippon 日本) dating back more than 100,000 years. During ice ages when sea levels were much lower, many parts of Japan were connected to the mainland, providing an easy migration path. Though occasional climatic changes caused periodic stress, life in the archipelago was generally simple. Hunter/gatherers had access to an abundance of edible wild plants, and fish and game were plentiful. Because of this, agriculture in Japan didn't develop until the beginning of the Yayoi Period (300 BC - 300 AD).

The Beginning of Japanese Art

Jōmon Period (10,500--300 BC)

The beginning of the Jōmon period around 10,500 BC saw the first development of pottery, predating pottery use in China and possibly anywhere else in the world. This was highly unusual because most civilizations didn't start using pottery until after agriculture developed.

The photo below is of a late Jōmon vessel on display in the Japanese Pavilion in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It is far more elaborate than earlier pottery. Note what appear like belt loops about the "waist". It is believed that these were for ropes by which the vessel was suspended above the ground.

During the Jōmon middle period, clay figurines called dogū appeared. They were most likely fertility symbols.

Yayoi Period(300 BC--AD 300)

Evidence exists that rice cultivation may have begun in limited areas as early as 400 BC in Japan, but it rapidly became widespread in the Yayoi period. Raised thatched-roof granaries came into use.

An extant Chinese text shows that there was contact between China (early Ch’in and Han Dynasties) and the Wa, as the Japanese called themselves at the time. The Wa consisted of 100 distinct contentious but interdependent states. In 57 AD, a Wa King Na paid tribute to the Han Dynasty, and a gold seal was given in return. Archeologists have found the actual seal. Records show that a Queen Himiko, the leader of 30 Japanese states, established formal diplomatic relations with the Han dynasty in 239 AD. That coalition is referred to as the Yamatai culture based on where it was supposed to have been centered. Like Camelot, the location is lost to us today.

Probable Chinese and Korean influence led to the use of iron and bronze implements, woven cloth, and glass. Pottery grew more sophisticated and may have been shaped on wheels.

Dōtaku, large bronze bells, appeared. In China, they were hung from poles and struck to make music. In Japan, they were associated with social and religious power.

Kofun Period (300--700)

The period is named after burial mounds that began to appear late in the Yayoi period but became much more frequent in Western Japan—larger, and more sophisticated, too—starting in this period. 161,560 of them are cataloged. Many are quite small, but the largest ones are massive. The largest kofun, said to be the tomb of Emperor Nintoku, is in the Osaka area. Having a roughly keyhole shape, it encompasses 79 acres and is 115 feet tall.

The kofun were surrounded by terracotta figurines called haniwa (clay circle) closely spaced around the perimeter at the base of the mounds, on terraces, and around the top. Haniwa have a variety of shapes; mostly people and animals. Their purpose is not known. Some speculate that their presence on pillars helps to stabilize slopes. Others favor social or religious significance. The large kofun in Osaka has 20,000 of them. Here are two.

Extensive cultural contacts with Korea and China continued in the Kofun period until the Yamatai culture collapsed, followed by an extended period with little or no contact with the mainland. The late 4th century saw the rise of the Yamato clan that eventually unified Japan under the tenno (emperor of heaven).

To this day, Yamato is known as an ancient name for Japan. Paintings in the style associated with Yamato culture (versus China) are known as yamato-e.

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