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{{sync|History of Japan#Yamato period}}
{{History_of_Japan}}
The {{nihongo|'''Kofun period'''|古墳時代|''Kofun-jidai''}} is an era in the history of [[Japan]] from around 250 to 538. The word ''kofun'' is Japanese for the type of [[tumulus|burial mound]]s dating from this era. The Kofun period follows the [[Yayoi period]]. The Kofun and the subsequent [[Asuka period]]s are sometimes referred to collectively as the [[Yamato period]].
Generally, the Kofun period is divided from the [[Asuka period]] for its cultural differences. The Kofun period is illustrated by an animistic culture which existed prior to the introduction of Buddhism. Politically, the establishment of the [[Yamato court]], and its expansion as allied states from [[Kyūshū]] to the [[Kanto|Kantō]] are key factors in defining the period. Also, the Kofun period is the oldest era of recorded history in Japan. However, as the chronology of the historical sources are very much distorted, studies of this age require deliberate criticism and the aid of archaeology.
The archaeological record, and ancient [[Twenty-Four Histories|Chinese sources]], indicate that the various tribes and chiefdoms of Japan did not begin to coalesce into states until 300, when large tombs began to appear while there were no contacts between western [[Japan]] and [[China]]. Some describe the "mysterious century" as a time of internecine warfare as various chiefdoms competed for hegemony on [[Kyūshū]] and [[Honshū]].<ref>{{cite book| url=http://books.google.com/books?ie=UTF-8&vid=ISBN0824820304&id=dCNioYQ1HfsC&pg=PA7&lpg=PA7&dq=kofun+tumuli+korea&vq=korea+kofun&sig=YUcKBcOAukHzM-pfzp-uUTug8GY| title=Sacred Texts and Buried Treasures: Issues on the Historical Archaeology of Ancient Japan| first=William Wayne| last=Farris| id=ISBN 0-8248-2030-4| publisher=University of Hawaii Press| pages=7}}</ref>
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===Development of Kofun===
The oldest Japanese Kofun is said to be Hokenoyama Kofun located in Sakurai, [[Nara]], which dates to the late 3rd century. In Makimuku district of Sakurai, earlier keyhole kofuns (Hashihaka Kofun, Shibuya Mukaiyama Kofun) were built around the early 4th century. The trend of the keyhole kofun first spread from Yamato to Kawachi (where gigantic kofun such as Daisen Kofun of Emperor Nintoku are), and then throughout the country (except for Tohoku) in the 5th century. Later that century, keyhole kofuns were also built in the Gaya confederacy of the Korean peninsula. Many Korean scholars argue against this assertion, but the majority write that the presence of uniquely Japanese design features is nearly undeniable proof of this flow of culture from Japan to Korea.
The spreading of keyhole kofun is generally assumed to be an evidence of Yamato court's expansion in this age. However, some argue that it simply shows the spreading of culture based on progress and distribution, and has little to do with political breakthroughs. Whether the keyhole kofun in Gaya was for a local chieftain influenced by Japanese culture or for an immigrated Japanese aristocrat is also debated.
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==Yamato court==
[[Image: KofunCuirass.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Iron helmet and armour with gilt bronze decoration, Kofun period, 5th century. [[Tokyo National Museum]].]]
While conventionally assigned to the period from 250 CE, the actual start of Yamato rule is disputed. The start of the court is also linked with the controversy of [[Yamataikoku]] and its fall. Regardless, it is generally agreed that Yamato rulers possessed keyhole kofun culture and held hegemony in Yamato up to 4th century. The regional autonomy of local powers remained throughout the period, particularly in places such as Kibi (current [[Okayama prefecture]]), Izumo (current [[Shimane prefecture]]), Koshi (current [[Fukui prefecture|Fukui]] and [[Niigata prefectures]]), Kenu (northern [[Kanto]]), Chikushi (northern [[Kyūshū]]), and Hi (central Kyūshū); it was only in the 6th century that the Yamato clans could be said to be dominant over the entire southern half of Japan. On the other hand, official diplomatic relations with the
The Yamato [[polity]], which emerged by the late 5th century, was distinguished by powerful [[clan]]s (豪族: ''Gozoku''). Each clan was headed by a [[patriarch]] (氏上: ''Ujikami'') who performed sacred rites to the clan's ''[[kami]]'' to ensure the long-term welfare of the clan. Clan members were the aristocracy, and the kingly line that controlled the Yamato court was at its pinnacle.
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===Clans of the Yamato Court===
Many of the clans and local chieftains consisting Yamato polity claimed its taproot to imperial family or other tribal Gods(Kami). The archeological evidence of such clans is found in Inariyama sword, on which the bearer recorded the names of his ancestors to claim its origin to ''Ōbiko''(大彦) who was recorded in [[Nihon Shoki]] as a son of [[Emperor Kogen|Emperor Kōgen]]. On the other hand, there are also considerable numbers of clans having origins in China or
At 5th century, ''Kazuraki clan''(葛城氏), descending from the legendary grandson of Emperor Kogen, was the most prominent power in the court and intermarried with imperial family. After Kazuraki faded in late 5th century, ''Ōtomo clan''(大伴氏) temporarily took its place. When Emperor Buretsu died with no apparent heir, it was [[Otomo no Kanamura]] who recommended [[Emperor Keitai]], a very distant imperial relative resided in Koshi (current Fukui Prefecture), to be a new monarch. However, Kanamura was resigned due to failures on diplomatic policies, and the court was eventually controlled by the [[Mononobe clan|Mononobe]] (物部氏) and [[Soga clan]]s (蘇我氏) at the beginning of the Asuka period.
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===Torai-Jin===
[[Han Chinese|Chinese]] and [[Koreans|Korean]] immigrants who naturalized in ancient Japan were called "Torai-Jin" (渡来人). They introduced many aspects of [[Chinese
===Chinese migration===
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===Korean migration===
Among the many Korean imigrants who settled in Japan beginning in the 4th century, some came to be the progenitors of Japanese clans. According to [[Nihongi]], the oldest record of [[Silla]] immigrant is [[Amenohiboko]], a legendary prince of [[Silla]] who settled to Japan at the era of [[Emperor Suinin]], perhaps around 3rd or 4th century. Ironically, Amenohiboko is described in Nihongi as a maternal ancestor of [[Jingu of Japan|Empress Jingū]] whose controversial legend says that she conquered Silla. On the other hand, Korean immigrants also include the [[Baekje]] royal family. [[King Muryeong of Baekje]] was born in Japan in 462, and left a son who settled there. In [[Emperor Ojin]]'s reign, [[Geunchogo of Baekje]] dedicated a lot of treasures and scholars to the Japanese emperor.<ref>[[Nihonshoki]] Episode of Ojin 16 - 百濟國主照古王 以牡馬壹疋 牝馬壹疋 付阿知吉師以貢上</ref> The
===Language===
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===Introduction of equine culture to Japan===
[[Image:HaniwaHorse.JPG|thumb|left|180px|Haniwa horse statuette, complete with [[horse tack|saddle]] and [[stirrup]]s, 6th century.]]Chinese chronicles make note that the horse was absent on the islands of Japan and they are first noted in the chronicles during the reign of [[Nintoku]], most likely brought by China and Korean immigrants.
The [[cavalry]] wore armour, carried [[sword]]s and other weapons, and used advanced military methods like those of north-east Asia. Evidence of these advances is seen in funerary figures (called ''[[haniwa]]''; literally, clay rings), found in thousands of ''kofun'' scattered throughout Japan. The most important of the ''[[haniwa]]'' were found in southern [[Honshū]]—especially the [[Kansai|Kinai region]] around [[Nara prefecture|Nara]]—and northern [[Kyūshū]]. ''Haniwa'' grave offerings were made in numerous forms, such as horses, chickens, birds, fans, fish, houses, weapons, shields, sunshades, pillows, and male and female humans. Another funerary piece, the [[magatama]], became one of the symbols of the power of the imperial house. Much of the [[material culture]] of the Kofun period is barely distinguishable from that of the contemporaneous southern
==Towards Asuka period==
Kofun period changed into [[Asuka period]] in mid-6th century CE by the introduction of Buddhism. The religion was officially introduced at the year 538 by [[Seong of Baekje|King Seong]] of [[Baekje]], and this year is traditionally set for the epoch of the new period. Also, after the reunification of China by Sui Dynasty later in this century, Japan was deeply influenced by Chinese culture and consequently entered into a new cultural era.
==Relation of Yamato court and
According to the [[Book of Song]]. A Chinese emperor appointed [[five kings of Wa]] to the ruler of [[Baekje]] and [[Silla]] in [[421]].<ref>''[[Book of Song]]'' [http://www.hoolulu.com/zh/25shi/06songshu/t-097.htm] </ref>
Japan of the Kofun period was very positive towards the introduction of [[Chinese culture]]. [http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0824818520&id=HpgcaKpnuU0C&pg=PA224&lpg=PA224&dq=kofun+korea&sig=MmzEJQoxe4IhzXF84FJdghFxG8E]. Chinese and Korean immigrants played an important role in introducing [[Chinese civilization]] to early Japan.[http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0395652375&id=MziRd4ddZz4C&pg=PA56&lpg=PA56&dq=Kofun+%22chinese+civilization%22&sig=TydOlwxfqIlQOnvU-zdOE0IXHoQ]. Not only are there many material objects from China via
[[Image:IshibutaiWithFigureSmallVersion2.jpg|thumb|150px|A late kofun, earthen covering gone.]]
The special burial customs of the
http://jp.encarta.msn.com/media_262538992_761577854_-1_1/content.html</ref> And, the astronomy figure of China was being written.
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