Ancient History (kodai-shi 古代史)

Question 1

date Asuka period

Answer 1

ca. 550-710 CE

Question 2

date Nara period

Answer 2

710-784 (794) CE

Question 3

604 CE

Answer 3

‘17 Article Constitution’

Question 4

645 CE

Answer 4

Taika reforms

Question 5

702 CE

Answer 5

Taihō codex adopted (Chinese legalism)

Question 6

712 CE

Answer 6

Kojiki, first account of foundation myths, written.

Question 7

720 CE

Answer 7

Nihonshoki, first ‘national history’ (first of the ‘six national histories’) written.

Question 8

743 CE

Answer 8

hereditary ( without limit) private land property allowed.

Question 9

Yamato state

Answer 9

The Yamato state becomes dominant (except in the north-east where the Emishi, an ethnically different group of tribes lived), headed by the Yamato lineage of rulers claiming to be descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu ōmikami.

Question 10

What did the other clans do?

Answer 10

Other clans (Uji) are integrated by receiving ranks (Kabane) and specializing on heading certain functions (ritual, military, finances, etc.).

Question 11

‘era of reforms’ ca. 646-710

Answer 11

Polity organized based on Chinese legalism, ritsuryō codices ( Taihō codex and Yōryō codex, organized in a penal code and an administrative code); introduction of ‘era names’ (negō); all arable land distributed to families (jōri field system); taxes collected by administration built by the Nara court.

Question 12

Emperor

Answer 12

Direct ruler over the people and the land.

Question 13

Provinces?

Answer 13

Provinces were first established with administrational centers and a system of provincial temples (Kokubunji)

Question 14

Capital?

Answer 14

Establishment of new capital in Nara (710) with Chinese Tang dynasty capital Chang’an as model.

Question 15

Asuka period (ca. 550-710)

Answer 15

Foreign wars; threat of invasion, name taken from Asuka area were important temples were built and the center of the Yamato state was located. 604:’17 Article Constitution by the Prince Shōtoku Taishi.