Page 64 - Japan’s Cultural Treasures

Japan today is one of the world’s most modern countries, but it retains parts of its ancient
past in its customs and daily living habits. The natural drive and restlessness of the Japanese
people manifested itself early on. Japan’s recorded history begins in AD 400 with one group,
the Yamato clan, controlling much of the central and western lands in the country. The
Yamato clan conquered its rivals and also introduced the concept of an imperial court similar
to China’s court. Buddhism was introduced to Japan by way of neighboring Korea at about this
time. Much of the country’s early history prior to the Tokugawa period, which began in 1603,
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neighbors or intruders.

Foreign Influence

Japan, like many of its Asian neighbors, was changed by the waves of foreigners who came
seeking trade and riches. Before the Meiji period (1868-1912), Japan was a closed and secretive
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and Korea and then from Western nations.

In 1543, Portuguese ships brought traders and missionaries to Japan, with Spanish, Dutch,
and English traders soon following. The Tokugawa were a particularly successful family of
warlords or shoguns who managed to take control over most of the country in the early 17th
century. They became distrustful of the foreigners and banned Christianity and for the next
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were allowed to trade at the port of Nagasaki. During this period of isolation the shoguns
controlled the country and divided the people into four classes: samurai (warriors), farmers,
craftsmen, and merchants. A rigid system dictated how each class dressed, lived, and worked.
The samurai were at the top of this class structure and were both feared and fearsome. The
merchants were at the bottom and soon resented their status.
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Japanese to open the country to trade. From that point, the country quickly developed into a
modern power with a large imperial army.

Modern History

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discarded the rest. The result has led to an interesting mix of modernity and tradition
in Japan. The modern Japanese Constitution is modeled after the American Constitution.
The emperor is a symbolic head of state only. Their education system is similar to many
European systems.

Throughout the latter part of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, Japan was
often at war with its neighbors China and Russia over territorial claims. A militaristic society
dominated Japanese life. In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria and followed this with an invasion
of China in 1936. On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a sneak attack on American forces at
Pearl Harbor and initiated a war with the United States. By 1942, Japanese military successes

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