Chinese Influence on Early Japanese Culture

The Chinese greatly influenced early Japanese culture.

Chinese culture has fundamentally influenced Japan by shaping its art, religion and politics. Japan even lacked written language until the Chinese introduced it about 1,500 years ago. Ultimately, the Japanese altered the Chinese influence to fit their culture.

Religion

The Chinese brought Buddhism to Japan. Chinese authorities believed that by converting the Japanese from the indigenous Shinto religion to Buddhism, they could more effectively introduce other aspects of Chinese culture into Japan.

Government

Before Chinese influence, Japan lacked a strong central government. From AD 593 to 622, the Japanese Prince Shotoku created a Constitution and began transitioning to a government that more closely imitated China's. After Shotoku, two emperors named Tenji and Temmu continued the changes, forming two systems that organized Japan's criminal and civil rules.

Confucianism

Besides Buddhism, the Chinese also brought Confucianism to Japan. The philosophy profoundly influenced Japanese culture, including its art and government. Prince Shotoku's Constitution included ideas from both Confucianism and Buddhism, and Japanese art reflected the same Neo-Confucian themes as art in China.

References

• Handbook for the Study of Eastern Literatures: Ancient Japan
• Onmark Productions: Confucius and Confucianism in Japanese Art and Culture
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology: The Japanese Language