Brief history of prehistoric and ancient Japan. (40 thousand years BC - 3rd century AD)

Paleolithic (40 thousand years BC - 13 thousand years BC), history of ancient Japan

During the Paleolithic era, the Earth was covered with glaciers, and the sea level was 100 meters lower than today. Japan was not yet an archipelago, but was united by isthmuses with Eurasia.

The Sea of ​​Japan was a wide depression in those days. Although the glaciers did not reach East Asia, they had a significant influence on the climate of those places. Japan was located in the Asian steppe ecozone, the flora of which consisted mainly of forest-steppe grasses. Among the fauna, it is worth noting mammoths, Naumann's elephants, big-horned deer and other animals that migrated to this land from Siberia.

People first arrived on the Japanese islands at the beginning of the Japanese Paleolithic, which

lasted from the 40th millennium BC. e., to the 12th millennium BC. People who arrived along the isthmuses to ancient Japan obtained food by hunting and gathering, and created the first crude tools from stone. This time is called the pre-ceramic culture period because people could not make ceramic products.

Antiquity

The first people settled on the Japanese islands during the Paleolithic. During this period, the surface of the Earth was covered with glaciers, and the water level differed from the current one by one hundred meters, so in place of the Sea of ​​Japan there was simply a vast valley. Land isthmuses connected the territory of the future archipelago with the mainland.

Ancient Japan. Engraving

The ice did not reach the East Asian region, but influenced its climate. Japan belonged to the steppe zone with various herbs. It is interesting that the animal world was represented by:

• elephants,
• mammoths,
• deer,
• other animals that were found in Siberia at that time.

Until the 12th century BC, the ancient Japanese hunted, obtained food by gathering, and produced primitive tools from stone. They had not yet learned how to make clay products, so sometimes this period is called pre-ceramic.

Jomon

Then the glaciers melted, the level of the world's oceans rose, part of Japanese territory was flooded, and a group of sea islands - an archipelago - was formed. The climate warmed, sea currents changed direction, and the steppe here was replaced by forest thickets.

Diverse forests - coniferous, beech, oak and subtropical - shelter many different animals and birds under their canopy. The coastal waters and the Inland Sea were rich in fish. With such natural abundance there was no need for animal husbandry or crop production, so the Japanese continued to hunt and gather.

Among the new skills of the population, noteworthy is the ability to make ceramic utensils for preparing and storing food - narrow, tall jugs decorated with a special cord ornament, “jomon”.
It was present on tableware until the 2nd century BC and gave its name to this historical period .

With the onset of the Neolithic, the Japanese began to live sedentarily in dugouts on the hills, gathering in settlements of up to thirty people. There was usually a pile of garbage near the settlement, where the dead were buried. Residents began to cultivate rice, buckwheat, legumes at the simplest level, breed oysters and grow chestnut trees. The Japanese practiced animism and totemism as a religion.

Yayoi

In the 1st millennium BC, the Japanese borrowed the technology of irrigated rice cultivation from the inhabitants of the continent. For this purpose, valleys near rivers and flat areas were settled. The first village communities appeared, working together to cultivate rice fields. To harvest the harvest, it was necessary to make another device - a stone sickle, and to store it - the construction of grain barns on stilts.

It was customary for the community to hold prayers and celebrations dedicated to good harvests. As a result, new agricultural traditions emerged and a calendar appeared.

Also, the labor skills of the Japanese were enriched by the ability to process iron, copper and bronze, from which weapons, bells and mirrors were made. Ceramic dishes began to be made without a pattern, were reddish and varied.

The place where such dishes were found was the settlement of Yayoi, which is where the name of this period, which ended in the 3rd century of the new millennium, came from. During the Yayoi settlement, union associations began to appear - a prototype of the future state. The leaders had full military and religious power. Wooden fences and trenches were used to fence settlements.

Nara period (710-794).

The Nara period is named for the location of Japan's first permanent capital at Nara , located in the center of the mainland. The population of the capital is up to 200,000 people. The name of the country was changed to “ Japan ” (“Nihon” - “where the sun rises”). The active construction of a centralized state in accordance with legislative codes, in connection with which this period (and the beginning of the next) is often called “ritsure kokka ” (“state [based] on laws”). Strict legalized social ranking with a strong desire to preserve family ties. Widespread use of writing based on the educational system. The appearance of written monuments - the mythological and chronicle collections “Kojiki” and “Nihon Seki”.

The army serves only the internal needs of the state; the number of its units in the capital is about 5,000 people. Active and systematic construction of an extensive network of excellent roads, on which 400 postal yards are organized with distances between them of 16 km. Thus, the problem of movement was effectively solved - in just a week, moving from the capital, it was possible to reach any of the most remote points of the country. Oddly enough, attention is paid to purely overland methods of travel. Water transport is not developed at all and is not in demand.

State formation

Japan of those times can only be judged by Chinese chronicles, since the Japanese did not have their own written language. The Chinese called them “wa” and mentioned that they lived in about a hundred states, a third of which maintained contacts with their country. In the 5th century, Japanese agriculture was enriched by the cultivation of:

• nettles for making fabric - ramie,
• cereal crops,
• spices,
• cannabis,
• tangerines.

Rice cultivation in Japan.
Engraving Silkworm breeding and the production of silk and linen fabrics, as well as the extraction of pearls, cinnabar and lapis lazuli, developed.

The most powerful ancient Japanese state was Yamatai. This country entered into the system of Asian political relations on China's terms: it paid tribute to it and agreed with the supremacy of the Chinese emperor. He, in turn, assisted in politics the rulers who fulfilled these conditions, and allowed them to have trade relations with the Middle Kingdom.

In the 4th century, China became involved in civil strife; Silla, Goguryeo and Pekje appeared on the Korean Peninsula, expressing a desire to unify Korea, and the state formation of Yamato began the struggle for the unification of Nippon. From the 3rd to the 6th centuries, it was customary here to bury wealthy citizens in kofuns - mounds made of earth, which is why this period is also called Kofun.

Kofun period mound

In Yamato, a system of clans and titles in the executive branch developed, since the state was a federation. The heads of clans received titles from the leader in accordance with their status. The state pursued an active foreign policy. Koreans and Chinese settled here and brought with them new information and skills that contributed to the development of:

• jewelry making,
• engineering,
• hieroglyphic writing,
• medical skills,
• new technology in the manufacture of ceramic tableware.

from Korean Bekje associated with Buddhism came to Nippon The new doctrine causes controversy, leading to a fight between two clans: Soga and Mononobe. The Soga clan advocated the adoption of Buddhism and won an irreconcilable struggle.

Early Japan (40,000 BC – 300 AD)

The first period of Japanese history is called Iwajuku (40,000 BC - 13,000 BC).
This is the time of the initial settlement of the islands. The period is named after the site of the first discovered Paleolithic site. During the Jomon period (13000 BC - 300 BC), the population of the Japanese islands was engaged in gathering, hunting, and fishing. “Jomon” was the name of pottery products of that time. This period roughly corresponds to the Neolithic.

During the Yayoi period (300 BC - 250 AD), blacksmithing, rice cultivation and other “high technologies” of that time came to the island of Kyushu along with emigrants from Korea and China. This period was also named after pottery first discovered in Yayoi (Tokyo area). The beginning of rice growing dates back to 100 BC.

With the advent of agriculture, tribal alliances began to create the first Japanese states . Kyushu briefly became the center of the country. Chinese travelers during the Han and Wei dynasties reported that in those years the ruler of the country (more precisely, one of the most influential tribal unions of Kyushu) was a priestess named Pimiko or Himiko.

Later, the center of government moved east to the fertile lands of the Kinai region (now Kansai). The country began to unite under the rule of the Yamato tribe, which ruled in the province of the same name (now Nara Prefecture). Traditionally, the beginning of the reign of the first Emperor Jimmu dates back to 660 BC. However, modern historians date the founding of the Yamato dynasty to the mid-first century BC.

Development of statehood

This event ends the prehistoric development of Japan - the Genshi era, and begins a new one - Kodai, relating to the history of ancient Japan. Her first period, Asuka, is associated with the name of Prince Shotoku, who headed the government under Empress Suiko. On the territory of modern Nara there was the village of Asuka, near which all political and cultural life was concentrated, and it gave the name to the period.

Prince Shotoku (c. 574 - c. 622) - Japanese prince regent, reformer and politician of the Asuka period

The prince tried to create a monarchy in the country. He created a system of titles and ranks of twelve levels and moral and ethical rules for officials - the “Constitution of Seventeen Articles.” Buddhist teachings became the official religion under him. Traditional beliefs - Shinto - also flourish, and the state takes care of their coexistence.

In the 7th century, Emperor Kotoku, who came to power, took up the “great transformations” - Taika. The first step of the Taika reforms was to declare all lands and its people the property of the state. The following innovations were adopted by subsequent emperors Tenji and Tenmu:

• general army duty
• strengthening borders with castles and fortress walls,
• posting sentries on the island of Kyushu,
• bringing legislation into order according to the model of the Celestial Empire,
• compilation of the chronicles of Nippon.

The capital moves successively to Otsu, Fujiwara and Heijō (modern Nara). And Japan begins to be called Nippon. During the Nara period, new laws were adopted and they began to issue their own money. Provinces, counties and rural areas make up the structure of the country.

State of Nippon during the Nara era

For the allocated land plots, the population paid the state with harvests, fabrics, and products of their own production, and also had to work for free for two months a year. All people began to be divided by status into free and dependent (ryomin and semmin).

But soon the land fund was exhausted due to population growth, so Emperor Shomu was allowed to privatize virgin lands. This law contributed to the development of economic relations. Nobles and Buddhist monasteries began to accumulate land property.

The culture of the time was marked by copying Korean and Chinese artistic traditions. Over sixty Buddhist monasteries were built, among which are considered cultural monuments

• Todai-ji,
• Tosedai-ji,
• Kofuku-ji.

Poetry flourished in literature, its anthologies were compiled, the most famous of which is Manyoshu, which collected about four and a half thousand poems written over a hundred years.

Todai-ji is the temple of Buddha Vairocana, the Great Buddha. Completed in 745

When Heian (later Kyoto) became the capital in the 8th century, relations between the Buddhist clergy and aristocrats became conflicting. Military service is now performed not by peasants, but by noble people. The Fujiwara family enjoys significant influence at court, women from which become imperial wives.

Since there was no regular army, samurai detachments from those who had already served their mandatory term appeared to guard and defend the lands. They were led by noble people. The most famous are representatives of the Minamoto and Taira clans.

Emperors Go-Sanjo and then Shirakawa managed to remove the Fujiwara clan from power through cunning political moves. The result was “insei”—the rule of retired emperors. The samurai were separated into an independent class. Their power and authority grew day by day.

During the Heian period, the Buddhist sects Tendai and Shingon appeared, calling for solitude and obtaining enlightenment through the study of sacred texts and prayer. Relations with China weaken, and the flourishing of a distinctive Japanese culture begins, marked by the appearance of:

• Yamato-e painting,
• national alphabet kana,
• literary works based on it,
• palaces with new trends in architecture,
• court culture of Kokufu.

Heian period. Engraving

Muromachi period, 1392-1568 (Ashikaga shogunate).

The Muromachi period is named after the location of the headquarters of the Ashikaga shoguns in Muromachi (Kyoto region). Often divided into two subperiods: the southern and northern dynasties (“ nambokucho” , two kingdoms 1336-1392), when there were two parallel and competing imperial courts, and the “period of the warring provinces” ( “sengoku jidai” , 1467-1392 1568). Constant feudal internecine wars (especially in the second half of this period). At the end of the period - the growth of cities, accompanied by the development of urban secular culture. First contacts with Europeans.

Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, the time of the samurai began in Nippon. A power struggle begins between their families, and the Taira win. The defeated Minamoto clan formed opposition to them. The fighting continued and the Minamoto later overthrew the Taira rule.

In the 12th century, the institution of the shogunate was formed, and dual power developed in medieval Japan: the Kyoto emperor and the shogun in Kamakura, who represented the interests of the samurai. Samurai and ordinary people begin to become interested in Buddhism. Among them, the Jodo sect, which preached Amidism, was popular. The following schools of Japanese Buddhism are also becoming famous:

• Jodo-shinshu,
• Nichiren-shu,
• Soto-Xu,
• Rinzai.

While the first school paid great attention to sinners, the followers of the second focused on the Lotus Sutra, and the last two preached Zen Buddhism. The shogunate fell into decline over time, and the ruler Go-Daigu attempted to restore the monarchy (Kemmu restoration).

Shogunate period in Japan

The attempt was unsuccessful and ended in a split in the imperial power and a war between the clans. In the 14th century, the next shogunate, Muromachi, emerged, and then the third, Yoshimitsu.

The following changes are taking place in the economy, social sphere and culture:

• appearance of water wheels,
• using animals as draft power,
• planting new crops in gardening,
• cotton breeding,
• improvement of forging and foundry metallurgy,
• holding trade fairs,
• creating communities of carriers and moneylenders,
• formation of communities of burghers for protection from samurai,
• evolution of self-government,
• development of theater but,
• design of rock gardens,
• use of tatami,
• development of the arts of ikebana and tea ceremony, etc.

Azuchi Momoyama era (1573-1603)

Large landowners who seized large amounts of land (sometimes even entire provinces) were called daimyo. All of them were interested in unifying Japan and seizing power. To achieve this goal, the daimyo were constantly forced to fight. At the same time, the advantage often fell on the side of the more armed groups (firearms were actively used in wars).

General Toyotomi Hideyoshi was able to quickly respond to the current situation and in 1583 subjugated the island of Shikoku and the northern provinces, and in 1587 the island of Kyushu. The Toyotomi's victory over the Hojo clan in 1590 allowed for the complete unification of Japan.

The history of the country, from the first day of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's reign, was filled with transformations. Dozens of castles were destroyed throughout the country, all samurai had to leave agriculture and move to cities. A “sword hunt” was carried out, during which all weapons were taken away from peasants and monks. The entire population of the country was clearly divided into classes. In 1583, the powers that be conducted an audit of state lands, and a little later (in 1590) - a population census.

To reduce the influence of the Christian church, Toyotomi Hideyoshi expelled missionaries from the country in 1587 and forbade changing their faith, and even executed 26 people for disobedience.

Wanting to increase his possessions, in 1592 Hideyoshi set out to conquer China, but the army was defeated. In one of the battles, Hideyoshi was seriously wounded and later died.

The desire for unification

In the 16th century, Japan was united through the efforts of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Hedonism is developing among the common people; pleasures are placed above all else in life. Painting, astronomy, medicine, sea navigation, and publishing are further developed thanks to openness to European influence. European clothing comes into fashion.

Edo era. Japanese print

Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes the fourth and final shogun. The time of his reign was called the Edo period. Society is stratified into:

• samurai,
• merchants,
• artisans,
• peasants,
• pariah - “unclean”.

Neo-Confucianism comes to the fore as a religion. In general, the life of the population during this period is stable.

Influence of other civilizations

The artistic culture of Ancient Japan was created under the influence of nearby countries. The Japanese were happy to cooperate with other nations. China and Korea greatly influenced the development and formation of education and art in Japan. The beliefs of its inhabitants have come a long way. Today you can study the traditions, folk art, writing, architecture and sculpture of the Japanese for a long time.

The main feature of Japanese artistic culture is the comprehension of harmony with nature. This teaching is taken from Chinese wisdom. Nature helps to find mental balance, heal the mind, body, find peace and happiness. The Japanese reverently honor their traditions. In this they are a little like the British.

New time

In the 18th-19th centuries, the authority of the shogunate was shaken, and imperial power was restored with the help of Emperor Meiji. The five hundred year reign of the shoguns is over. Since then, Japan has become a world-class industrial power.

The country experienced ups and downs, periods of militaristic sentiments and expansionism. Now Japan is heading towards liberal democracy and is one of the most influential countries in the world with a high level of technology and economic development.

Meiji era (1867-1912)

In 1867-1868, the power of Emperor Meiji was completely restored, and he moved to the new capital of Tokyo. The Meiji era in the history of Japanese development is full of enormous changes. The opening of the “curtain” made it possible not only to trade with most countries, but also to adopt their experiences and discoveries. The economy and military affairs developed at a rapid pace.

The boundaries between social classes were blurred - the government decided to democratize the country. In 1873, a law on freedom to choose religion was passed. Reforms affected the education system, compulsory education was introduced, and the study of Shinto and Confucianism was present in all schools.

To counter European nationalism, Japan paid a lot of attention to the development of the army: compulsory military service was introduced, the fleet was built like the British one, and the army was assembled and modernized like the Prussian one.

To raise the country, specialists were needed. To achieve this, hundreds of students went to study in other countries, and teachers from abroad were invited to teach in educational institutions in Japan.

The year 1889 was marked by the adoption of the first constitution. Despite the emergence of parliament, the independence of the emperor was preserved (he dominated the army, navy, legislative and executive powers).

In 1894-1895, a war broke out between Japan and Korea, the reason for this was disagreement over Korean issues. Japanese troops won, they even captured Taiwan, but the West forced other territories to be given to China.

1904-1905 - the time of the Russian-Japanese War, which broke out due to the interests of China and Manchuria. Japan emerged victorious in the war, thanks to which it received unprecedented fame and respect on the world stage.

Having strengthened its influence over Korea, Japan was able to annex it in 1910.

The formation of architecture

The formation of such a traditional Japanese art form as architecture was influenced by Buddhism, which came from China. Palaces, monasteries, and temples were built in the Chinese style. The first images of Buddha began to appear in the country. Confucianism arose in the 13th century. All this was absorbed by the architecture of those times.

It is useful for high school students to learn what the features of Japanese artistic culture of the late Middle Ages are. The architecture of those times combined foreign features, organically mixed with local features. There was always a beautiful garden near temples and palaces. Laconic but bright colors were used to paint these structures.

It should be noted the influence of local nature on Japanese architecture. The architects depicted in their creations a capricious, beautiful, crushing and breaking world. They did not build majestic buildings that would impress with their size and complexity.

Preference was given to simple and understandable structures, where there was nothing superfluous, only elegant lines. Wood was used in construction . Special frames were built for the houses. To prevent moisture from entering the home, an air cushion was erected between the ground and the floor. Homes, temples and palaces have always had strong columns to support buildings during earthquakes.

The windows of ancient buildings were unconventional. Instead, they used holes over which fabric or white sheets were stretched, allowing rays of light to pass through. Any wall, except the load-bearing one, could be moved apart, removed, or replaced. Design changes were easy. There were few rooms in the premises. The roof was made wide and strong to protect the home from rainy and windy weather, scorching sun and cold.

Theater and art

In high school, students write a report on the topic “Japanese Culture.” Some of them are preparing a presentation or project on this issue. Here they must briefly mention the theater and art of the Land of the Rising Sun. They reflected the daily life of the Japanese, their mentality, beliefs, and spiritual development.

Some forms of art are used all over the world. Contemporaries like to make origami - paper crafts. Ikebana is also popular in florist workshops. The same can be said about bonsai - the art of growing dwarf trees.

Japanese theater originated in ancient times. He is very multifaceted and multifaceted. The most famous stage is Kabuki, where the main roles are played by men. There are no women in the team. During the performance, the audience sits in headphones, through which the action taking place on stage is explained.

National architecture, theater and art prove that Japan has a diverse culture. Thanks to its versatility and originality, it has remained unique for centuries and does not suffer from foreign influence.

Japanese music

In terms of musical development, Japan looked at other countries using some kind of musical instruments. But later she modernized them under the influence of local tastes and traditions. The first to influence the formation of classical music in Japan was the local folklore of Dengaku, mixed with foreign influences and giving birth to the music that is currently familiar to Japan.

The religious side of the issue also made its contribution to the musical origins. Thanks to Christianity, playing the organ began to spread. And Buddhism promoted playing the flute.

Currently, classical music has gained popularity in Japan. Many representatives of this creative cell travel abroad in Japan. These include Goto Midori, Ozawa Seiji and Uchida Mitsuko. Relatively recently, halls designed for comfortable listening to classical music were opened in Japan. These include Kiyo Hall, Osaka Symphony Hall, Orchard, etc.

Wars

The self-isolation of the “samurai” gave way to an active and even aggressive foreign policy. Now the coordinates of Japan were known to all developed countries of the world. Having entered the war on the side of the Entente, the inhabitants emerged from it with territorial gains. In the 30s, the Japanese de jure annexed Manchuria, creating a puppet government on its territory as a distraction. After being condemned by the League of Nations (the progenitor of the UN), they left its membership, and already in 1941 they joined the Third Reich in confrontation with the former allies.

The Second World War was a real failure for the “samurai”. Temporary successes gave way to severe defeats, the points of which were set in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In August 1945, the whole world learned where Japan was located. On the map of world history, these cities will remain a monument to the human passion for self-destruction. Two nuclear bombs dropped by US bombers began a new era for humanity.