Classical Japan: An Introduction

Timeline of art history in Japan from 500 to 1000 AD, covering key events and creations

Introduction to Buddhism to Japan from China and Korea in the 6th century causes momentous changes in fundamental ways of life for the Japanese.
Japan establishes and maintains foreign faith and 400 years of close connections with Chinese and Korean courts, adopts more sophisticated culture
- new culture includes: literature, philosophy, art, architecture, science, medicine, and statecraft
- also the introduction of the Chinese writing system that revolutionized Japan as they had no writing system
During the Heian Period (794-1185), Japanese civilization reached maturity and imported continental influences that were absorbed and adapted to native preferences and interest to maintain ties with the mainland wanes
- the imperial family and Fujiwara Clan (imperial regents from late 9th to end of 11th century ), encouraged literature, painting, music, and decorative arts which reached a peak aesthetic and technical sophistication, and a distinctive national style
- poems illustrated narrative handscrolls and Buddhist images of the Heian era
  - appealed to or expressed human emotions
  - visually rich and decorative
  - highly refined in style

538 ( 552 according to an alternative tradition )

king of Baekje, Buddhist, sends a message to Japanese emperor Kinmei ( r. 532-71 ) describing the Buddhist faith as “most excellent”, urges him to embrace it
- the tradition introduction of Buddhism into Japan
- actual account, Japanese court may have learned the religion earlier from Korean and Chinese traders/immigrants

mid-6th century

capital is established in a series of sites in Asuka Valley in central Yamato plain, power base of Sun clan — secures imperial throne.
- capital city usually moved after the death of reigning emperor until 710
- aversion to defilment of the deceased is the most cited reason for these moves
- political considerations may also play an important role

593

Prince Shoutoku ( 574 - 622 ) becomes regent for his niece, Empress Suiko ( r. 593 - 628 )
- prince institutes a number of important political and social reforms meant to centralize goverment control and strengthen imperial authority.
- passes an edict to promote Buddhism and gives imperial support to the construction of several temples
- credited with writing insightful commentaries on several sutras including the influential Lotus Sutra

600

Prince Shoutoku sends the first official Japanese mission to China
- another embassy carries a letter from Shoutoku to the Chinese emperor addressing him as the ruler of the “land of the setting sun”, and signed by the “land of the rising sun”.
  - first known use of this phrase which forms the base of the name Japan and origin.

ca. 607

Buddhist temple Houryuuji is established in the Asuka region.
- monastic compound is Japan’s earliest Buddhist temple and contains the world’s oldest surviving wood structure
- housed in the temple are bronze statues of Buddhist deities atrributed to the sculptor Tori Busshi, first artist known in Japan by name.

646

Taika Reform issued by Emperor Kotoku ( r. 645 - 54 ) to strengthen imperial political and economic authority while weakening the position of aristocratic families
- based on Chinese system
- all agricultural land becomes property of the emperor and all inhabitants his subjects
- merit-based bureaucracy is established, expanded in 701 by the Taihou code to govern imperial domain

701

the Gagakuryou ( Bureau of Court Music ) is formed
- numerous types of sacred and secular music and dance are performed at court
- includes compositions from China, Korea, Central Asia, and Japan

710

Imperial headquarters moves from Asuka to Nara and becomes the country’s first permanent capital
- built according to a grid pattern , modeled on the Tang Chinese capital Chang’an (Xi’an) but without city walls and gates
- efforts to establish Buddhism as the official state religion inspire the constrtuction of many Buddhist temples

712

Kojiki ( Record of Ancient Times ) — Japan’s first history and oldest surviving literary work is completed
- commissioned a collection of ancient songs, legends, genealogies, and descriptions of religious rites
- chronicles Japan’s development from its creation to approx. 500 AD
- expanded by Nihon shoki ( History of Japan ), completed in 720

ca. 728

Emperor Shoumu ( r. 724 - 49 ) establishs an official scriptorium ( Shakyoushi or Shakyouko ) within the grounds of the imperial palace.
- scribes, supervisors, paper mounters, and assistants are chosen by means of an examination process — tests the knowledge of Chinese characters and ability to write in regular script calligraphy
- primary task of the scriptorium at this time is to provide temples with copies of Buddhist texts

743

after small pox epidemic, Shoumu ( r. 724 - 49 ) orders the construction of Buddhist temple Toudaji — most ambitious religious project of the Nara period.
- main hall — largest wooden building in the world and houses colossal, bronze image of the seated Vairocana Buddha (Birushana Butsu)
- northeast of main hall — Shousouin, repository for Shoumu’s treasures
  - paintings, glassware, jewelry, textiles, and musical instruments from China, Persia, Central Asia, and Middle East

759

Man’youshuu ( Collection of Myraid Leaves ), oldest surviving anthology of Japanese Poetry is completed
- marks beginning of Japan’s written poetic tradition
- two prominent themes amongst the collection of 4,500+ poems is human emotions and the natural world
- Kakinomoto no Hitomaro ( active ca. 685 - 705 ), important author in the Man’youshuu, is considered one of the greatest poets in Japanese history

794

Capital moves to Heiankyou (Kyoto), “Capital of Peace and Tranquility”, beginning of the Heian period.
- remains the imperial seat until 1868
- government allows only two Buddhist temples to be built within the city in fear of a revival of political meddling by Buddhist clergy that plagued the Nara court

804

Buddhist monk Saichou (Dengyou Daishi, 767 - 822 ) is sent to China on an official mission
- introduces the Tendai school which is centered around the teachings of the Lotus Sutra
- returning from the same mission, monk Kuukai (Koubou Daishi, 774 - 835 ) introduces Shingon, school of Esoteric Buddhism
- Esoteric Buddhism — emphasizes the use of elaborate rituals, appeals for help to deities, and practices secret incantations to achieve enlightment in one lifetime
  - attractive to Japanese aristocracy and profoundly affects the life and arts of Early Heian period.

815

Legend, Emperor Saga ( r. 809 - 23 ) is the first Japanese sovereign to drink tea imported from China by monks
- upper classes adopts beverage for medicinal uses until the 12th century
  - becomes associated with Zen Buddhist practice

858

the Fujiwara family consolidates their position in court when Fujiwara Yoshifusa ( 804 - 872 ) succeeds in establishing grandson as Emperor Seiwa ( r. 858 - 76 ), himself as acting regent
- practice of marrying their daughters to emperors and serving as regents to the sons forms the basis of Fujiwara influence

894

Imperial court discountines official missions to China
- begins a period in which native artistic traditions develop and flourish

ca. 900