A Journey Through History: Rise and Fall of the Yamato Kingdom
8 minutes read
In the previous article, we left the emerging Yamato kingdom on the verge of its expansion. The presence of progressively bigger burial mounds between the Kawachi and Izumi regions suggest that the political centre of the kingdom likely moved from Mount Miwa towards the Inland Sea. Scholars present wedding diplomacy and the importance of sea access as probable reasons for such spatial changes within the Yamato clan federation, whose structures became increasingly complex. Moreover, archaeological studies suggests that by the 5th century CE, the attention of the Yamato kingdom shifted from spiritual matters to warfare. This hypothesis is based on changes observed in burial customs, in which religious artifacts such as mirrors and jewels were gradually replaced by weapons or artifacts connected to military strength. The Yamato expansion experienced its peak in the 5th century, when the kingdom had the resources to intervene in the internal conflicts of Korea, holding some of the peninsula’s southern territories for over a century. Traces of Yamato military activities can be found both in archaeological sites and in historical – and mythological – chronicles. In this regard, one of the most notorious stories mentioned in the Nihon Shoki is a Korean military campaign conducted by the mythical empress Jingū, sometime during the 3rd century CE.
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892), Empress Jingu Leading the Invasion of Korea from the series ‘Concise Illustrated History of Imperial Japan’ (Dai Nihon shi ryaku zue 大日本史略図会).
The Expansion of the Yamato Kingdom
The rapid development of the Yamato kingdom was possible through a significant improvement in rice production, due to the mastery of harvesting techniques imported from the continent. Moreover, the 4th century was a time of architectonic endeavours, not only focused on ancestry cults but also dedicated to the wellbeing of the living. According to the Nihon Shoki, under the rule of emperor Nintoku (290–390)[i], a project, which created a significant increase in farmable land by improving the irrigation in the Kawachi and Izumi regions, was completed. Although facts presented in the first Japanese historical compilations should be taken with a grain of salt, archaeological findings in the region have unearthed canals associated with the 5th century. This led specialists to believe that the irrigation project mentioned in the Nihon Shoki might have been inspired by some factual occurrences.
Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), The Emperor Nintoku surveying the countryside for signs of fires in his subjects’ dwellings, from the series ‘Honcho Nenreki Zue’. © The Trustees of the British Museum
During the time of emperor Nintoku, the Yamato kingdom flourished, as commercial and diplomatic exchanges with the continent lead to significant improvements both in the area of agriculture and the military. Such exchanges occurred predominantly in the Naniwa harbour, a strategical port that connected the Yamato kingdom to the rest of the world. Maritime routes allowed the kingdom to quickly and efficiently move goods in peaceful times and soldiers during its military expansion in the archipelago. Several myths suggest the relevance of the area, such as the legendary emperor Ojin’s arrival by boat, and many praise the local deities as being strongly connected to the imperial dynasty.
The Sumiyoshi-taisha (Great Shrine of Sumiyoshi) in Osaka prefectur is often mentioned as an important landmark in Japanese mythology; the local deities have often been associated with the imperial family. © Saigen Jiro
The Inland Sea proved to be a significant region for Yamato expansion, as the kingdom was able to access technicians, skills and materials through this important landmark, while developing its diplomatic network. The foundation of the kingdom was achieved on land, but the consolidation of its power likely happened at sea. When commerce and military campaigns proved to be ineffective, the Yamato rulers chose diplomatic strategies to broaden their sphere of influence. Local rulers from the Central and Eastern regions started to gravitate toward the kingdom, trying to formulate their ways into the genealogy of the Yamato court, acquiring further legitimization of their powers in the process. Progressively, local rulers began to be recognized as representatives of a kingdom whose power was rising. Coincidentally, historians observe an increase in Kofun burial practices across the south-western part of Japan, a sign of the expansion of the Yamato kingdom’s network as well as the strengthening of its control over the country.
Kuboizumi-Maruyama Kofun, Saga prefecture (5th–6th century CE). © Pekachu
However, Yamato kingdom chieftains also had strong diplomatic relationships with the continent, most importantly with the Korean kingdom of Paekche in the south. Between the 4th and the 6th century, the peninsula was subject to internal unrest. Three kingdoms competed for political and military supremacy, leading to many battles across the region. To match the stronger Koguryō and the growing Silla, Paekche often sought military support from the Yamato kingdom, with which it probably had an alliance. Japanese interventions on Korean soil have been attested by several artifacts, such as a seven branched sword gifted to Yamato kings by Paekche in 369 as well as bilateral mentions of joint battles in later historical chronicles. The strong impact of the Yamato kingdom on Korea started weakening after a loss of the Paekche kingdom to its rival Koguryō in 475 CE and because of the first signs of internal trouble within the Japanese court.
Yamato’s Etiolation
A number of circumstances lead to the chime heralding the end of the supremacy of the Yamato kingdom. The relatively fast rise to wealth and power of Yamato chieftains translated poorly in the 6th century. Rulers of the time are often depicted as more interested with court disputes than actually managing the kingdom’s affairs. The defeat of the Paekche kingdom in 475 CE also resonated within the Yamato kingdom, as rulers started to be perceived as unable to conduct successful foreign military campaigns. By the end of the century, it was clear that profound reforms were needed to preserve the Yamato system from further deterioration. Two emperors, who scholars often present as landmarks of the end of Yamato growth, are emperor Buretsu, deemed as an incompetent ruler, and his successor emperor Keitai, who inherited a complex reign.
Haniwa clay statue of a Yamato soldier (6th century), Tokyo National Museum.
The first major challenges faced by emperor Keitai was the Korean situation. The expansion of both Silla and a reinvigorated Paekche menaced Mimana, a southern region of the peninsula under Yamato’s influence. In 512, Yamato rulers, weakened by significant pressures, accepted to recognize some of their Korean districts as part of Paekche’s territory. At the time, Yamato was squeezed between their demanding allies and the slow expansion of Silla, both bearing ill omens upon the Japanese protectorate. The deterioration of the situation led the Yamato kingdom taking a strong stance and, by 527, an important military contingent was sent to Korea to regain territories lost to Silla. Unfortunately, a rebellion in Kyūshū slowed down the campaign to the point that Korean power balances had already shifted by the time Yamato soldiers set foot on the continent. Their mission had been lost before even beginning. Mimana rulers asked the Yamato forces to leave the country and the protectorate was annexed to Silla sometime around 562 CE. Scholars identified this development as the sign for the end of the Yamato’s prosperous period.
Nonetheless, Keitai’s reign must not be regarded as a complete failure, as the moving of the kingdom’s political centre closer to the Nara plain planted a seed that would later sprout into the rising of the enlightened Asuka government. The reason behind the return of the Yamato court closer to its initial location is still a riddle which scholars have difficulties solving. Some argue that the Korean defeat struck Yamato rulers with fear of a possible retaliation from Silla, moving deeper in the land might thus have been a preemptive defensive move. Others suggest that the relocation bears the fingerprints of an important clan, the Soga, who wanted to have the court closer to their area of influence. Regardless of the reasons, this development proved to be one of the most defining moments of Japanese history, as the reforms conducted in the new capital founded on the banks of the Asuka river would prove to become the keystone upon which almost a millennium of Japanese civilisation developed. But we will leave this story for another time.
Ishibutai Kofun, believed to be the tomb of a member of the Soga clan, in Asuka, Nara prefecture. © 663highland
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[i] Note: The Nihon Shoki provided dates for many members of the imperial family; however, they cannot be regarded as historically accurate until the 6th century, as earlier happenings have been described with a more mythical and legendary blur.
Written by Marty Borsotti