The Yamato Empire 400 - 794 AD
The Yamato "clan" established itself as leaders in Japan by the 400's AD. They claimed that they were descendants from the sun goddess Amaterasu. They called themselves the emperors of Japan by the seventh century and did not control the whole country (not even a lot of it) but the Japanese slowly became okay with having an emperor.
The Yamato leaders never had a lot of actual power, but they were never overthrown either. If rival clans fought for power, the winning clan would gain control of the empire. The emperor served as a figurehead and a ruling power on the throne. This structure of Japanese government was an enduring characteristic.
Japan's advances in technology accelerated during the time that the Yamato clan ruled. They began cultivating rice, improving their pottery, developed ironworking, and building social hierarchies. The civilians became more intelligent during this time period, which advanced the empire positively, improving their economy and daily lives.
The first capital of Japan was built during the Yamato period. Before the seventh century, each ruler lived in their own palace and abandoned it after death. The first permanent capital was created while the Yamato were adopting parts of Chinese cultures. It was founded in Fujiwara in 694 AD and housed three emperors before it was abandoned in 710. The brief permanent location and learning things from the Chinese helped strengthen their government. The second capital lasted longer (from 710 - 784 AD) in Heijo.
The Yamato leaders never had a lot of actual power, but they were never overthrown either. If rival clans fought for power, the winning clan would gain control of the empire. The emperor served as a figurehead and a ruling power on the throne. This structure of Japanese government was an enduring characteristic.
Japan's advances in technology accelerated during the time that the Yamato clan ruled. They began cultivating rice, improving their pottery, developed ironworking, and building social hierarchies. The civilians became more intelligent during this time period, which advanced the empire positively, improving their economy and daily lives.
The first capital of Japan was built during the Yamato period. Before the seventh century, each ruler lived in their own palace and abandoned it after death. The first permanent capital was created while the Yamato were adopting parts of Chinese cultures. It was founded in Fujiwara in 694 AD and housed three emperors before it was abandoned in 710. The brief permanent location and learning things from the Chinese helped strengthen their government. The second capital lasted longer (from 710 - 784 AD) in Heijo.
Map: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Yamato_en.png
More information: http://www.angelfire.com/empire2/unkemptgoose/Yamato.html
More information: http://www.angelfire.com/empire2/unkemptgoose/Yamato.html