Toraijin (Japanese: 渡来人) refers to the people who came to Japan from China or Korea in ancient times, as well as their descendants.[1][2] They arrived in Japan as early as the Jomon or Yayoi periods, and their arrival became more significant from the end of the 4th century to the late 7th century. During this period, they introduced Confucianism, learning, medicine, the calendar, and cultural practices such as Sue ware production and weaving to Japan. They were favored by the Yamato Imperial Court, and many were appointed to government positions.[2][1]

History

The period of arrival of the Toraijin can be divided into four categories: 2nd to 3rd century BC, around the 5th century B.C. The period when the Five kings of Wa ruled, late 5th – 6th century, and seventh century.[1]

The first Torajin, who arrived in the 1st millennium BC, are thought to have introduced rice cultivation and earthenware to Japan (mainly in Kyushu). According to the Chronicles of Japan and the Kojiki, the first major arrival to Japan was during the reign of Emperor Ōjin, but there was a major upheaval on the Korean peninsula at that time. Some people came to Japan to escape the upheaval and introduced iron tools, irrigation technology, and so on. The tools and technology they brought with them may have revolutionized the production methods and labor patterns that had existed until then. They also brought horses and harnesses, and riding came to be practiced. In the 7th century, exiles from Baekje, which had been defeated at the Battle of Hakuchon, entered Japan. The technology and culture brought by the Toraijin contributed to the advanced development of Japan at that time.[1][3] According to the book Shinsen Shōjiroku compiled in 815 CE, a total of 326 out of 1,182 families in the Kinai area on Honshū were regarded as people with foreign genealogy. The book specifically mentions that 163 were from China, 104 such families were from Baekje, 41 were from Goguryeo, 9 were from Silla, and 9 were from Gaya. These families are not inherently considered noble, but rather notable.[4][5]

Toraijin occupied an important position in the military and political affairs of the Yamato regime due to their advanced skills in arms manufacturing, weaving, and agriculture. They also made significant contributions to the development of Japanese culture.[2] During the Kofun era, the Yamato regime had frequent exchanges with countries on the Korean Peninsula. In 552 AD, Seong of Baekje sent envoys to the Yamato court, bringing Buddha statues and Buddhist classics, and Buddhist culture was also introduced to Japan. After Buddhism was introduced to Japan, it became one of the main religions in Japan and a part of today's Japanese culture . The Yamato court let these people live in the Kinki area, and the civilization brought by the people greatly changed the way of life of the Japanese. After entering the Asuka period , many Japanese royals and ministers believed in Buddhism, such as Prince Shotoku and Soga Mako, and devoted themselves to promoting Buddhism. The reason why Baekje people went to Japan was that Japan asked Baekje for craftsmen and doctors of the Five Classics and escaped from Goguryeo.[6]

The representative Toraijin groups of the 4th and 5th centuries were the Hata and Han (both names refer to groups or clans, not individuals). These Toraijin possessed superior technology and ability, and were fundamental to Japan's nation-building. The Hata clan is descended from Yuzuki-no-kun, who came from Silla on the Korean Peninsula around the 4th or 5th century (Hadan may be their place of origin). Yuzuki-kun came to Kyushu with 30,000 to 40,000 laborers from 127 prefectures. They served the Yamato royal court as officials in charge of finances. His headquarters was originally located in Yamaboshi, Kyoto, but he later moved to Uzumasa (Kyoto City). Along with their activities in the center of Japan, the descendants of the Hata extended their influence nationwide, from Owari and Mino to Bicchu and Chiku.[1]

In the Heian period, there were claims that the Eastern Han Chinese were the ancestors of Han emperors such as Emperor Gaozu, however, these claims were later proven to be false. The Qin clan, on the other hand, claimed descent from Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and they may have been in rivalry with the Tohan clan.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 渡来人. www.asuka-tobira.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  2. 1 2 3 第２版,世界大百科事典内言及, 日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ),ブリタニカ国際大百科事典 小項目事典,旺文社日本史事典 三訂版,百科事典マイペディア,デジタル大辞泉,精選版 日本国語大辞典,世界大百科事典. "渡来人(とらいじん)とは？ 意味や使い方". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-02-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ 平野邦雄『帰化人と古代国家』吉川弘文館、2007年、p.2
  4. ↑ Saeki, Arikiyo (1981). Shinsen Shōjiroku no Kenkyū (Honbun hen) (in Japanese). Yoshikawa Kōbunkan. ISBN 4-642-02109-4.
  5. ↑ "渡来人と赤穂". The KANSAI Guide - The Origin of Japan, KANSAI (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  6. ↑ 森公章「『帰化人と古代国家を読む』、平野前掲書解説
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.