Asuka time
The Asuka period ( Japanese 飛鳥 時代 , Asuka jidai ; 538 or 592 - 710 ) is a period in Japanese history. It forms the second half of the Yamato period . It got its name from the fact that the imperial residence was then mostly in Asuka-kyō . In terms of art history, the Asuka period is further divided into the Suiko period ( 推 古 時代 , Suiko jidai ) from 552–645, where Buddhism was officially adopted in 552, and the Hakuhō period ( 白鳳 時代 , hakuhō jidai) from 645-710.
The prince Shōtoku Taishi ( 574 - 622 ) from this period is ascribed the first written constitution of Japan ( 17 article constitution ), which contained 17 paragraphs on ethics and politics .
In the year 645 the rise of the Fujiwara family began with Nakatomi no Kamatari , whose influence was only to end in the 11th century through the samurai . During this time, an administrative and tax reform based on the Chinese model was carried out as well as a land reform for which the state bought up arable land and then distributed it evenly to the farmers. The new rulers continue the China-oriented policy: With the Taika reforms (645), the state and administration are largely rebuilt according to the Chinese model. The real estate is administered personally by the emperor and a new capital ( Ritsuryō system ) is created as a new center of power . Censuses, a uniform tax register and land surveys simplify administration. So a centralized civil servants' state is emerging . However, unlike in China, the most important posts are always given to certain noble families, the aim is to ensure their loyalty. Serfdom is abolished in the individual provinces. From now on all are subordinate to the emperor.
Modern building techniques, new medical knowledge, music and literature come to Japan, which is still primitive compared to China. Some buildings from this period have been preserved in the Hōryū-ji to this day.
