9781422285879

The Ishibutai Kofun is the largest tomb in Japan and was built during the Asuka period.

sixth through early eighth centuries. This time in Japanese history also saw the arrival of Buddhism from China, as well as the introduction of Chinese political and cultural practices, such as bureau- cratic organization (when leadership is organized into departments and levels). The Chinese writing system was also adopted during the Asuka period.

A NATIVE JAPANESE RELIGION The native religion of Japan is known as Shintoism. It is based on Japanese myths, and its roots date as far back as the sixth century bce . Shintoism has no sacred texts and no official founder. Practitioners are devoted to spiritual beings known as kami , with whom they communicate through various rituals.

The eighth century was a time of renewed stability in Japan, as a perma- nent capital was established in Nara, in the southern half of Honshu, the largest

of Japan’s main islands, in 710. Bud- dhism began to thrive, particularly among the upper classes, and many temples and monasteries were built. The religion had a pervasive influ- ence on the arts and culture, setting forth new techniques in painting and sculpture. A national form of literature began to develop as writers collected ancient myths and turned them into Daibutsu, or the Great Buddha statue, at Todai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan, is the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana.

11

CHAPTER ONE: HISTORY, RELIGION, AND TRADITION