The Influence of Chinese Culture in Japan focusing on Asuka Period

Abstract

This article will discuss about the influence of Chinese culture in Japan which appear in the History of Asuka Period. This period is one of the most important historical periods in Japan. However, it was not well known enough in Thai academic society. The article starts mentioning about political context within the country and international dimensions. This is because the international political climate in 6^th century has been dramatically changed. China has been stepped up to become a regional superpower under Sui dynasty. Therefore, Japan must dispatch ambassadors to China in order to develop partnership, and receive new knowledges from China. As a result, Chinese culture has influences Japanese politics and governments, as well as arts and culture. In the part of politics are Twelve level cap and rank system, Seventeen-article constitution and Taika reform. In the part of arts and culture, it will discuss about the arrival of Buddhism and its influence in Japan. Besides Buddhism, Japan also accept Taoism and Confucianism. At the end of this article, it will explain about Asuka architecture. The most outstanding architectures in this period are Asuka temple and Hōryūji temple. Therefore, in other words, this period is the first period that Chinese culture has been settled down in Japan, and some part of them still was inherited and adapted to Japanese society until present.