Kofun period

The Kofun period (古墳時代, Kofun-jidai) is an era in the history of Japan from around 250 to 538. The word kofun is Japanese for the type of burial mounds dating from this era. Kofun period follows the Yayoi period. Kofun and the subsequent Asuka periods are sometimes referred to collectively as the Yamato period.

Generally, Kofun period is divided from Asuka period for its cultural differences. Kofun period is illustrated with animism culture prior to introduction of Buddhism. On the other hand, the establishment of Yamato court, and its expansion as allied states from Kyushu to Kanto is a key factor in political aspect. Also, Kofun period is the oldest era of recorded history in Japan. However, as the chronology of the historical sources are very much distorted, studies of this age require deliberate critics and aids of archeology.

Archeological evidence indicates contacts between southern Korea and Japan from a very early period. Until elements of Northeast Asian, Chinese, and Korean civilization were introduced to the Japanese archipelago in waves of migration, the latter was inhabited by the hunter-gatherer Jomon people consisting of Ainu and Malayo-Polynesian people. Most scholars believe that there were massive transmissions of technology and culture from Korea to Japan which is evidenced by material artifacts in tombs of both states in the Proto-Three Kingdoms of Korea and Kofun eras, and the later wave of Baekje immigrants to Yamato. This view was popularized in Japan by Egami Namio's theory of a powerful horse-riding race from the north who brought about the dramatic change from Jomon to Yayoi culture.

Kofun tombs

Daisenryo Kofun, the tomb of Emperor Nintoku, Osaka, 5th century.

The Kofun period (c. 250–538) takes its name (古墳, kofun: "old tomb") from the culture's rich funerary rituals and distinctive earthen mounds. The mounds contained large stone burial chambers. Some are surrounded by moats.

Kofun came in many shapes, with round and square being the simplest. A distinct style is the keyhole kofun (前方後円墳 zenpō kōen fun), with its square front and round back. Many kofun were natural hills, which might have been sculpted to their final shape. Kofun range in size from several meters to over 400 meters in length.

By the late Kofun period, the distinctive burial chambers, originally used by the ruling elite, were also built for commoners.

The biggest kofun are believed to be the tombs of local monarchs like Ōjin and Nintoku. Kofun are also classified according to whether the entrance to the stone burial chamber is vertical (縦穴 tate-ana) or horizontal (横穴 yoko-ana).

Development of Kofun

The oldest Japanese Kofun is said to be Hokenoyama Kofun located in Sakurai, Nara, which dates to later 3rd century. In Makimuku district of Sakurai, earlier keyhole kofuns (Hashihaka Kofun, Shibuya Mukaiyama Kofun) were built around early 4th century. The trend of keyhole kofun first spreaded from Yamato to Kawachi (where gigantic kofuns as Daisen Kofun of Emperor Nintoku are built), and then throughout the country(except for Tohoku) in 5th century. Later that century, keyhole kofuns were also built in Gaya confederacy of Korea.

The spreading of keyhole kofun is generally assumed to be an evidence of Yamato court's expansion in this age. However, some argues that it simply shows the spreading of culture based on progresses in distribution, and has little to do with political breakthrough. Whether keyhole Kofun in Gaya was for local chieftain influenced by Japanese culture or for immigrated Japanese aristocrat is also argued.

Keyhole kofun disappeared later in 6th century, probably because of the drastic reformation taken place in Yamato court, where Nihonshoki records the introduction of Buddhism at this age. The last two great kofuns are Imashirozuka kofun(length:190m) of Osaka which is believed by current scholars to be the tomb of Emperor Keitai and Iwatoyama kofun(length:135m) of Fukuoka which was recorded in Fudoki of Chikugo to be the tomb of Iwai, the political archrival of Keitai.

Yamato court

Iron helmet and armour with gilt bronze decoration, Kofun period, 5th century. Tokyo National Museum.

While conventionally assigned to the period from 250 CE, the actual start of Yamato rule is disputed. The dynasty's supremacy was challenged throughout the period from Kibi Province (later Bizen and Bitchū) and it was only into the 6th century that the Yamato clans could be said to have any major advantage over their neighbouring clans.

The Yamato polity, which emerged by the late 5th century, was distinguished by powerful clans. Each clan was headed by a patriarch who performed sacred rites to the clan's kami to ensure the long-term welfare of the clan. Clan members were the aristocracy, and the kingly line that controlled the Yamato court was at its pinnacle.

The Kofun period of Japanese culture is also sometimes called the Yamato period by some Western scholars, since this local chieftainship arose to become the Imperial dynasty at the end of the Kofun period. Yamato and its dynasty however were just one rivalling polity among others throughout the Kofun era. Japanese archaeologists emphasise instead the fact that in the early half of the Kofun period other regional chieftainships, such as Kibi, near modern day Okayama, were in close contention for dominance or importance.

The Yamato court ultimately exercised power over clans in Kyushu and Honshu, bestowing titles, some hereditary, on clan chieftains. The Yamato name became synonymous with all of Japan as the Yamato rulers suppressed the clans and acquired agricultural lands. Based on Chinese models (including the adoption of the Chinese written language), they started to develop a central administration and an imperial court attended by subordinate clan chieftains but with no permanent capital. Japan's rulers of the time even petitioned the Chinese court for confirmation of royal titles

The Yamato court had ties to the Korean Gaya confederacy, called Mimana in Japanese. There is archaeological evidence from the Kofun tombs, which show similarities in form, art, and clothing of the depicted nobles. Based on the Nihonshoki, Japanese kokugaku historians claimed Gaya to be a colony of the Yamato state, a theory that is now widely rejected. More likely all these states were tributaries to the Chinese Sui and Tang dynasties to some extent.

Territorial expansion of Yamato

In addition of archaeological findings showing a local monarchy a the today Kibi Province as an important rival, the legend of the 4th century Prince Yamato Takeru indicates the then bordering areas and battlegrounds of the then monarchs of Yamato: a frontier was obviously somewhere close to the later Izumo province (the eastern part of the today Shimane prefecture). Another frontier, in Kyushu, apparently was somewhere north of the today Kumamoto prefecture. The legend specifically states that there was an eastern land in Honshu "whose people disobeyed the imperial court", against whom Yamatotakeru was sent to fight. That rivalling country may have been located rather close to the Yamato nucleus area itself, or relatively far away. The today Kai province is mentioned as one of the locations where prince Yamatotakeru sojourned in his said military expedition.

Ōkimi

During the Kofun period, a highly aristocratic society with militaristic rulers developed.

The Kofun period was a critical stage in Japan's evolution toward a more cohesive and recognized state. This society was most developed in the Kinai Region and the easternmost part of the Inland Sea. Japan's rulers of the time even petitioned the Chinese court for confirmation of royal titles.

While the ruler's title are diplomatically King, they locally titled themselves as Ōkimi(Great King) during this period. Inscriptions in two swords, Inariyama Sword and Eta Funayama Sword had records of Amenoshita Shiroshimesu(治天下;"ruling of Heaven and Earth") and Ōkimi(大王) in common, to be a ruler that the bearers of these swords were subjected to. It reveals that rulers of this age also grasped religious authorities to justify their thrones through heavenly dignities. The title of Amenoshita Shiroshimesu Okimi was used up to 7th century, until being replaced by Tenno.

Clans of the Yamato Court

Many of clans and local chieftains consisting Yamato polity claimed its taproot to imperial family or other tribal Gods(Kami). The archeological evidence of such clans is found in Inariyama sword, on which the bearer recorded the names of his ancestors to claim its origin to Ōbiko(大彦) who was recorded in Nihongi as a son of Emperor Kōgen. On the other hand, there are also considerable numbers of clans having origins in Korea or China. According to Nihongi, the oldest record of Korean imigrant is Amenohiboko(天日槍), a legendary prince of Silla who settled to Japan at the era of Emperor Suinin, perhaps around 3rd or 4th century. Ironically, Amenohiboko is described in Nihongi as a maternal ancestor of Empress Jingū whose controversial legend says that she conquered Silla.

At 5th century, Kazuraki clan(葛城氏), descending from the legendary grandson of Emperor Kogen, was the most prominent power in the court and intermarried with imperial family. After Kazuraki faded in late 5th century, Ōtomo clan(大伴氏) temporarily took its place. When Emperor Buretsu died with no apparent heir, it was Otomo no Kanamura who recommended Emperor Keitai, a very distant imperial relative resided in Koshi(current Fukui Prefecture), to be a new monarch. However, Kanamura was resigned due to failures on diplomatic policies, and the court was eventually controlled by Mononobe clan (物部氏) and Soga clan(蘇我氏) at the beginning of Asuka Period.

Among many Korean imigrants settled continuously from 4th century, some oldcomers seemed to set their origins to imperial family or some major clans. Soga no Machi(蘇我満智), the ancestor of Soga clan, is believed by some scholars to be equivalent of Baekje aristocrat Moku Manchi(木満致). On the other hand, Korean immigrants even include their royal family. King Muryeong of Baekje was born in Japan in 462, and left a son settled there. The naturalized prince established Yamato clan(和氏). This clan's women Takano Niigasa became the second wife of Emperor Kōnin and gave birth to Emperor Kammu in 737.

In Emperor Ojin's reign, many immigrants were recorded to be sent from the Korean kingdom of Baekje for the introduction of various continental culture. In Emperor Kimmei's reign, according to the Nihongi, Soga no Iname assigned a Korean in charge of taxes levied on shipments. The introduction of Chinese writing to Yamato was one Baekje's most important gifts to the court. [1].

Kofun society

Horse chariots during the Kofun period. Detail of bronze mirror (5th-6th century). Eta-Funayama Tumulus, Kumamoto. Tokyo National Museum.

Korean migration

The archeological record and ancient Chinese sources indicate that the various tribes and chiefdoms of Japan did not begin to coalesce into states until 300, when large tombs begin to appear while there were no contacts between the Wa and China. Some describe the "mysterious century" as a time of internecine warfare as various chiefdoms competed for hegemony on Kyushu and Honshu. [2]. A unified Yamato state may have coincided with large migration of Korea's Baekje people at the end of the fourth century

"Japan of the Kofun period was very positive towards the introduction of Korean culture". Not only are there many material objects from China and Korea that were exported to Japan such as bronze mirrors, iron, and pottery, kofun key-hole shaped tombs and haniwa, two features once thought to be unique to Japan, have been discovered in Korea. Ceramic manufacturing in kilns and horse-riding are two important technologies transmitted to Japan by Korean immigrants. [3].

A late kofun, earthen covering gone.

Iron working technology was introduced into Japan from Korea around 300. Korea was an important source of iron ingots to Japan and the Koreans were famous for the iron-working skills in that time period. [4]. Korean paintings in Goguryeo tombs had important influences in Japan. [5]. Decorated tombs and painted tumuli which date from the fifth century and later found in Japan are generally accepted as Korean exports to Japan. The Takamatsuzuka Tomb even has paintings of woman dressed in distinctive Korean pleated skirts. [6].

Yamato links to the mainland and the Liu Sung Dynasty in 425 and 478 were facilitated by the maritime knowledge and diplomatic connections of Baekje. [7].

Torai-Jin

Chinese immigrants who naturalized in ancient Japan were called "Torai-Jin" (渡来人). They introduced many aspects of Chinese culture to Japan; valuing their knowledge and culture, the Yamato government gave preferential treatment to Torai-Jins.

Many important figures were also immigrants from China. Chinese immigrants also had considerable influence ording to the "Shinsen-Joujouroku" (新撰姓氏録), which was used as a directory of aristocrats. Yamato Imperial Court had officially edited the directory in 815, and 163 Chinese clans were registered.

A typical Chinese immigrant clan included the Yamatonoaya-Clan (東漢氏), which was composed of descendant of Emperor Ling of Han. Yamatonoaya Clan was headed by Achi-no-Omi (阿智使主). He introduced Chinese culture to Japan. According to the Nihongi, During Emperor Kimmei's reign, the Hata clan (秦氏), descendants of Qin Shi Huang, taught sericulture techniques. The Kawachino-Fumi clan (西文氏), descendants of　Gaozu of Han, introduced aspects of Chinese writing to the Yamato court.

Language

Little evidence remains of the languages spoken in the ancient Korean kingdoms. Chinese, Korean and Japanese wrote accounts of history mostly in Chinese characters, making original pronunciations difficult to trace. Some linguists believe that modern Japanese evolved from the version of Korean spoken in Goguryeo and Baekje of Korea, while modern Korean is closer to that of Silla. See Japanese language classification for a hypothesis that Japanese language is a relative of Korean.

The theory that the name of the former Japanese capital Nara came from the Korean word Nara ("country") is disputed. The Japanese word Nara may be related to the word Narashita, meaning a flat place, as the city is located on a small flat plain in the mountainous region of Nara prefecture.

While the letter was generally strange to indigenous Japanese of this period, literal skills of the foreigners were useful. The Inariyama sword, made in either Korea or China (tentatively dated 471 or 531) contains Chinese character inscriptions in styles used in Korea, revealing that there was a possible immgirants served for the bearer, claiming himself to be an indigenous aristocrat. These "Koreanisms" of written Chinese are also found on the Eta Funayama Sword dated to about the fifth century. [8]. Various inscriptions with the names of the authors such as bronze mirrors and swords have peninsular surnames or are explicitly Korean. Also, other Japanese artifacts display popular Baekje styles, such as the abbreviated form of "be" on swords, a stone monument in Tako and a Buddhist statute at Horyu-ji Temple. [9].

Introduction of equine culture to Japan

Haniwa horse statuette, complete with saddle and stirrups, 6th century.

.

Chinese chronicles make note that the horse was absent on the islands of Japan and they are first noted in the chronicles during the reign of Nintoku, most likely brought by Korean immigrants. The horse is one of the treasures that the king Silla presented the emperor according to the record of Nihonshoki. Irrigation, sericulture, and weaving were also brought to Japan by Korean immigrants who are mentioned in the ancient Japanese histories. [10].

The cavalry wore armour, carried swords and other weapons, and used advanced military methods like those of north-east Asia. Evidence of these advances is seen in funerary figures (called haniwa; literally, clay rings), found in thousands of kofun scattered throughout Japan. The most important of the haniwa were found in southern Honshu—especially the Kinai region around Nara—and northern Kyushu. Haniwa grave offerings were made in numerous forms, such as horses, chickens, birds, fans, fish, houses, weapons, shields, sunshades, pillows, and male and female humans. Another funerary piece, the magatama, became one of the symbols of the power of the imperial house. Much of the material culture of the Kofun period is barely distinguishable from that of the contemporaneous southern Korean peninsula, demonstrating that at this time Japan was in close political and economic contact with continental Asia (especially with the southern dynasties of China) through Korea. Indeed, bronze mirrors cast from the same mould have been found on both sides of the Korean Strait.

Towards Asuka period

Kofun period changed into Asuka period in mid-6th century CE by the introduction of Buddhism. The religion was officialy introduced at the year 538 by King Seong of Baekje, and this year is traditionally set for the epoch of the new period. Also, after the reunification of China by Sui Dynasty later in this century, Japan was deeply influenced by Chinese culture and consequently entered into a new cultural era.

History texts

See Also: Nihonshoki.

The completeness, objectivity, and reliability of the surviving version of these Japanese sources, such as Nihonshoki and Kojiki is generally questioned by many scholars, including Japanese and foreigners. There are arguments that early parts of Kojiki and Nihonshoki were fabricated or exaggerated by the Yamato court to legitimize its rule.

Those Japanese history chronicles, state that the Yamato kingdom had always influenced events in Korea (especially Gaya confederacy) by sending in troops, sometimes as many as 100,000, and maintained an outpost. These claims are viewed by many different scholars as unsupported propaganda. A myth that Empress Jingu conquered parts of Korea in the Kojiki is suspected to be one of those fairy tales inserted by later Yamato scholars because of tense relations between Silla and Japan (Wa) in late 7th century.

Therefore Japan-Korea relationship up to 7th century and political power of Yamato court are generally to be argued through writing in other historical artifacts such as Gwanggaeto Stele, or through comparison to foreign historical sources such as Samguk Sagi or chronicles of corresponding Chinese dynasties. However, as arguments tend to be political rather than academic, many parts of this age remains ambiguous.

Most scholars agree that the founding date of Japan as 660 BCE is mythical, and the earlier emperors (argued through first nine to thirteen) of Japan are also not based on historical fact. Additionally, the Nihonshoki attributes dates a couple of sexagenary cycles (e.g. 120 years or 180 years) of history before they actually happened to make the relatively young Yamato state as respectable as contemporaneous Korean and Chinese states which shows another evidence of bias of the writers.

Many of the myths of these two histories also have many similarities with various Asian myths and even some with Greek myths.[11]

Chinese and Korean records

According to the Book of Song, Liu Song Dynasty recognized that the Yamato Imperial Court reigned over Silla and Baekje and Gaya confederacy.^[12]　According to the Book of Sui, Silla and Baekje feared and respected the power of Yamato. ^[13] According to Samguk Sagi, Baekje and Silla sent their princes as a hostage to the Yamato Imerial Court; King Asin of Baekje sent his son Jeonji in 397 ^[14] and King Silseong of Silla sent his son Misaheun in 402. ^[15]

It should be noted, however when the Chinese chronicles mention the five kings of Wa and the titles they received that they recognized Wa power over polities no longer extant in Korea. Further, whether these Wa kings were the same as the Yamato polity are questioned. It should be also noted that titles given to the Baekje and Goguryeo kings were higher in rank than the titles given to the Wa rulers.

See also

• History of Japan
• Tumulus
• Shichishito of Isonokami Shirine
• Gwanggaeto Stele
• Five kings of Wa

References

• This image is available from the United States Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division under the digital ID {{{id}}}
  This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Wikipedia:Copyrights for more information.
  - Japan

Notes

1. ^ Chinese History Record Book of Song : 宋書 列傳第五十七 夷蠻 : 詔除武使持節、都督倭新羅任那加羅秦韓慕韓六國諸軍事、安東大將軍、倭王。興死，弟武立，自稱使持節、都督倭百濟新羅任那加羅秦韓慕韓七國諸軍事、安東大將軍、倭國王 [16][17]
2. ^ Chinese History Record Book of Sui : 隋書 東夷伝 第81巻列伝46 : 新羅、百濟皆以倭為大國，多珍物，並敬仰之，恆通使往來 [18][19]
3. ^ Korean History Record Samguk Sagi : 三國史記 新羅本紀 : 元年 三月 與倭國通好 以奈勿王子未斯欣爲質 [20]
4. ^ Korean History Record Samguk Sagi : 三國史記 百済本紀 : 六年 夏五月 王與倭國結好 以太子支爲質 秋七月 大?於漢水之南　[21]

---

This period is part of the Yamato period of Japanese History.

< Yayoi | History of Japan | Asuka period >