Japan
Japan is a relatively small country that has developed a clear identity over the years. According to mythology, it began with chaos which divided into pure heaven and the endless ocean. From these emerged seven pairs of gods and goddesses. Later, a drop of water from the spear tip of Izanagi and Izanami fell into the ocean creating the first island. The earliest pottery is from about 13,000 BC. and the earliest agriculture from about 4,000 BC. Probably fishing was extremely important as most of the early settlements were near the water. Around 5-4,000 BC, the Yayoi invaded pushing the Jömon to the north. The Yayoi existed mostly on rice and their better agriculture lead to a substantial rise in population to 1.5-2 million by the end of the 3rd century AD. As the population rose and the economy improved there came to be more and more conflict between different groups. Nobles usually had several wives and slaves. Much of what is known about Japan during these years comes from Chinese sources. During the 5th century, the Japanese/Yamato started to adopt Chinese characters which was their first script. They also started to have more centralized government based on the Chinese and Korean systems. At this time, Buddhism also began to spread. In 604 AD, Prince Shötoku wrote the Seventeen-article constitution based on Confucian ideals of harmony in society. He and his clan were removed in the 620s by a coup and later Prince Naka took power. In the following years, his power increased more and more. Then late in the 7th century the name of the area was changed from Yamato to Japan. Because of a smallpox epidemic that killed more than a third of the population, the empire lost a lot both socially and economically. As a result, emperor Shömu sacrificed to vastly supported Buddhist temples to appease the gods. |