1 Pre-Heian Japan

Time Line

The Beginnings of Future Patterns

Prior to Kyoto becoming the capital of Japan, the seat of power was in Nara, and prior to Nara, it would move after the deaths of each emperor. During Pre-Heian Japan, before 794, there were several changes in the 5^th through the 7^th centuries that would have profound and long lasting changes to Japan’s society and culture, affecting its history immensely.

The late 4^th through 7^th centuries was a period of instability in China, causing waves of refugees fleeing through Korea and to settle in Japan. They brought with them new ways of thinking especially Buddhism and Confucianism that would influence Japanese culture, government, arts and crafts, and literature. From China came officials, students, Buddhist priests and laypersons, artists, craftsmen, and secretaries with “Chinese learning.” Also people skilled in arts and crafts came. China also influenced government with its Confucian reverence and respect for centralized authority. An important example of Confucian influence on the law was the Taika Reform of 645 enacted by Emperor Tenji and Nakatomi Kamatari, which declared all land belonged to the Emperor and great landowning nobles continued to live on the land at the Emperor’s pleasure. China even influenced names. When family names were being granted in the Chinese manner, Nakatomi Kamatari took the name Fujiwara, which means “wisteria” in Japanese and this household would have great influence in the court until the 20^th century.

Buddhism was officially introduced to Japan in 552. Up until then, Japan had no organized religion. Shinto was the native Japanese beliefs based on animism and nature worship mixed with legends and folk tradition. Shinto was not written nor did it have elaborate rituals and ceremony. Shinto had no founder, scriptures, moral code, or even a name. The word “shinto” was a word borrowed from Chinese, meaning “the way of the gods” and was invented to distinguish it from Buddhism. By contrast, Buddhism offered a system of thought, elaborate artistic ritual, and philosophy of life and death.

Indirect governance came from pre-Heian Japan. Oftentimes a ruler would retire, perhaps taking tonsure at a Buddhist temple, and abdicate in favor of a young son or other relative, but continue to govern while the official emperor would preside over the ceremonies of office but take no part in major decisions. Later even regents and military leaders (such as shoguns) took up the practice.

While Empress Suiko reigned, it was Shotoku, the Regent, who ruled, setting the practice of indirect governance. Emperor Shotoku (572-622), as well as Empress Suiko were devout Buddhists. Shotoku also had studied Chinese classics. He was instrumental in the sinicization (conforming to Chinese models) of the court and government.

During the 7^th century, Buddhism grew greatly thanks to generous court subsidies of Emperor Shōmu (701-756) who reigned from 724 to 749. Emperor Shōmu abdicated in favor of his daughter, who would become Empress Kōken. After abdication, Shōmu took tonsure, thus becoming the first retired emperor to become a Buddhist priest.

Empress Kōken (718-770) first reigned from 749 to 758. When she abdicated, she named Emperor Junnin as her successor. Junnin was more of a figurehead and only did ceremonial functions. Fujiwara Nakamaro began ruling the country de facto.  However, the retired Empress Kōken wanted to control government affairs. The resulting conflict with Nakamaro ended in a battle where Nakamaro was killed.

Empress Kōken re-ascended the throne as Empress Shōtoku from 765 until her death in 770. In her second reign, Dōkyō, a Buddhist monk, managed to ingratiate himself with her. He became her confidant, chancellor, and, maybe, her lover. In 770, he tried to ascend to the throne, citing an oracle from Usa Shrine.

Wake no Kiyomaro (733-799) was sent to the Usa Shrine to receive a divine message. This message endeared him to future emperors of Japan for it stated that only those descended from Amaterasu could be emperor. Dōkyō used his influence to get Empress Shōtuku to banish Wake no Kiyomaro. Wake’s legs were injured and he was attacked on the way to his banishment site.  Legend has it that he was protected by a pack of wild boar that drove off his attackers. Eventually Dōkyō was ousted and Wake no Kiyomaro reinstated. Wake no Kiyomaro continued advising Emperor Kanmu, Emperor Kōnin’s successor.

When studying Japan, one is struck by the recurrence of certain central themes: Chinese influence (sinicization), Buddhism and shinto, and indirect governance from the Nara Period. There was soon another development, destined to last for over 1000 years, the establishment of Heian-kyō.