Yayoi period
Ancient Japanese era
The Yayoi period is an era in Japanese history spanning roughly 300 BCE to 300 CE, marked by the introduction of wet-rice agriculture, metalworking, and new pottery styles from the Asian mainland.
It followed the Jōmon period and preceded the Kofun period.
The name comes from the Tokyo district where distinctive pottery was first discovered.
Between prehistory and history
- YamatoHistoric Japanese cultural core
- chieftainsLeaders of clans
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
- tribalOf a clan
social hierarchy · periodization · transition · migration · timeline · centuries · dynastic
Copper-tin alloy
- ironElement twenty-six
- smeltingExtracting metal from ore
- metallurgyScience of extracting metals
- castingShaping through liquid form
bronze bells · bronze mirrors · weapons · swords · spearheads · arrowheads · axes · forging
Growing grain in paddies
- irrigationArtificial water supply for agriculture
- paddy fieldsIrrigated land for grain
- granariesStructures for storing grain
- harvestingGathering mature crops
plowing · flooding · terracing · surplus · population growth · agricultural revolution · milling · threshing
Interlacing strands into fabric
- textilesWoven or knit materials
- tradeExchange of commodities
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- shamanismMediation between worlds
warfare · defensive · hierarchy · elite · commoners · specialists · diplomacy · tribute
Act of unearthing
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
- settlementsEstablished communities or agreements
- dwellingsPlaces of residence
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
carbon dating · moats · earthworks · bone tools · middens · post holes · reconstruction · preservation
Low-temperature fired pottery
- storage jarsContainers for keeping provisions
- wheel-thrownMade on potter's device
- kiln-firedHeated in ceramic oven
- unglazedLacking vitreous coating
incised · pedestaled · clay · firing · utilitarian · regional variation · temper
protohistoric
Between prehistory and history
- YamatoHistoric Japanese cultural core
- chieftainsLeaders of clans
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
tribal · social hierarchy · periodization · transition · migration · timeline · centuries · dynastic
bronze
Copper-tin alloy
- ironElement twenty-six
- smeltingExtracting metal from ore
- metallurgyScience of extracting metals
casting · bronze bells · bronze mirrors · weapons · swords · spearheads · arrowheads · axes · forging · molds
rice cultivation
Growing grain in paddies
- irrigationArtificial water supply for agriculture
- paddy fieldsIrrigated land for grain
- granariesStructures for storing grain
harvesting · plowing · flooding · terracing · surplus · population growth · agricultural revolution · milling · threshing
weaving
Interlacing strands into fabric
shamanism · warfare · defensive · hierarchy · elite · commoners · specialists · diplomacy · tribute · ancestor worship
excavation
Act of unearthing
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
- settlementsEstablished communities or agreements
- dwellingsPlaces of residence
stratigraphy · carbon dating · moats · earthworks · bone tools · middens · post holes · reconstruction · preservation · fieldwork
earthenware
Low-temperature fired pottery
- storage jarsContainers for keeping provisions
- wheel-thrownMade on potter's device
- kiln-firedHeated in ceramic oven
unglazed · incised · pedestaled · clay · firing · utilitarian · regional variation · temper
- ancient Japanshogun, daimyo, emperors, Yamato, Nara
- Japanese archaeologyburial mounds, excavation sites, ancient tombs, stone tools, clay figurines