
Asuka Period: A Nation Blossoms Under Buddhism and Reform
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- Prologue: Asuka, the Land of New Beginnings
At the end of the 6th century, the era of power symbolized by kofun had come to an end, and the Asuka region in Yamato became the center of a new nation-building era.
Here, vast farmlands and newly constructed temples harmonized, paving the way for Japan’s future.
During this time, the Japanese archipelago was once again in the midst of upheaval. Internally, power struggles among clans were constant, while externally, new cultures and technologies flowed in from China and the Korean Peninsula.
Amid this turmoil, a young leader emerged: Prince Umayado, later known as Prince Shōtoku.
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- Chapter 1: Buddhism and Legal Codes, Lights of the Future
Prince Shōtoku was deeply inspired by Buddhism and sought to incorporate its teachings into the governance of Japan.
He believed, "A nation cannot be united unless people respect and help one another."
Under Empress Suiko, Shōtoku wielded power as regent and introduced numerous reforms:
- The Seventeen-Article Constitution: Established guidelines for behavior and emphasized harmony as a political ideal.
- The Twelve-Level Cap Rank System: Reorganized clan hierarchies, promoting a merit-based governance structure.
- The Dispatch of Envoys to Sui China: Sent emissaries to learn advanced systems and culture from the Sui Dynasty, strengthening Japan.
Although his reforms faced significant opposition and challenges, they laid the groundwork for a new value system centered around Buddhism.
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- Chapter 2: The Construction of Temples and the Blossoming of Culture
One of the symbols of Prince Shōtoku’s reforms was the construction of Buddhist temples.
He founded Hōryū-ji, the first full-scale Buddhist temple in Japan, which became a center for learning and spiritual training.
This temple nurtured many monks and scholars, forming the foundation of Japanese Buddhist culture.
*Soga clan
*Mononobe clan
Meanwhile, the conflict between the pro-Buddhist Soga clan and the anti-Buddhist Mononobe clan intensified.
During this struggle, Soga no Umako defeated Mononobe no Moriya, paving the way for Buddhism to gain a foothold among the ruling class.
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- Chapter 3: The Influence of the Sui Dynasty and Japan’s Transformation
The return of envoys from the Sui Dynasty brought advanced culture and governance systems to Japan.
This accelerated the introduction of the ritsuryō system, a legal code that centralized governance.
In a letter to the Sui Emperor, Prince Shōtoku referred to himself as the “Son of Heaven in the Land Where the Sun Rises,” seeking to establish an equal relationship with China.
This phrase symbolized Japan’s aspiration to assert itself as an independent nation.
However, after Prince Shōtoku’s death, his vision for nation-building faced stagnation.
The Soga clan’s power grew stronger, leading to delays and disorder in the reform process, necessitating further exploration of new forms of governance.
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- Epilogue: Toward a New Capital in Nara
In the late 7th century, Crown Prince Nakano Ōe (later Emperor Tenji) and Nakatomi no Kamatari enacted the Taika Reforms, solidifying the foundation of a ritsuryō state.
Preparations were made to move the capital from Asuka to Nara.
In Nara, a new capital, Heijō-kyō, was constructed to further spread Buddhism and symbolize the unification of the nation.
This city became the stage for the development of the culture and philosophies that originated in Asuka.
The reforms and Buddhist traditions nurtured in Asuka eventually blossomed into the grandeur of the Nara period.
This marked the beginning of Japan as a fully-formed ritsuryō state and the creation of a culture that would be celebrated worldwide.
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- Next: The Nara Period – The Golden Age of Heijō-kyō and Buddhism