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The Chinese Influence In Ancient Japan

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I. Introduction
Prior to the Chinese influence, Japan had been through significant periods such as Prehistory or Paleolithic period dated from 100,000 to 30,000 BC and Jomon period from 14,000 BC to 300 BC when they advanced their own civilization known as Jomon culture. However, since Yayoi period (300 BC to 250 AD), Chinese culture gradually evolved in Japan society and it also predominantly influenced in Classical Japan which made up of Kofun period from 250 to 538 AD, Asuka period from 538–710 AD, Nara period from 710–794 AD, and Heian period from 794–1185 AD (“Ancient Japan – Crystalinks”, n.d.). Among the periods above, Heian was the most noticeable period of Japan although it was influx by the Chinese culture; it marked the end of classical …show more content…

It began to adapt the Chinese aspects of society, refashion its government system and build a capital city called Heijō-kyō resembled to the Chinese capital, Chang’an. Moreover, the Japanese were also inspired by Buddhism of China ("Heian - Essay | Imaging Japanese History", n.d). However, when Emperor Kammu took power in 781, he shifted the capital from Nara to Nagaoka, Yamashiro Province in 784, after that, he moved to Heian in 794 instead. This movement occurred because of the political problems in Nara. First, he wanted to weaken reduce the influence of Buddhism especially from Buddhist priests. For example Dōkyō who had great power and wanted to take over the throne during Empress Shōtoku’s reign. Second reason was that he wanted to move to the area where there were majority of his relatives so that he became stronger ("Heian - Essay | Imaging Japanese History", n.d). Whatever the reasons, this movement marked the emergence of a new era called Heian period. This period was named after the capital Heiankyō meaning ‘peace and tranquility’ (Heian Period (794-1185) - Japan Reference (JREF), …show more content…

They could inherit property and were protected by law from abuses ("Heian Period", n.d). Young women spent their time staying in their room. They could occasionally go out by using carriages. This behavior caused boredom which led women to entertain themselves in literary arts and to go Buddhist temples. Going to Buddhist temples gave men and women a chance to meet each other and started their relationships. For ancient Japanese culture, they did not care about virginity because they thought that for those who remained virginity in a long time would be owned by demons. Their marriage were often relating to politic. After married, the couples lived with their wives’ family in order to prevent their husband’s family to have power on women ("Heian Period", n.d). Men could have more than one wives, whilst women had to be loyal to her husband (“Chapter Three: The Heian Period Aristocrats”,

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