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Jōmon Reading Figure 3.17 "Middle Jomon deep pot with 'dagger' motifs, Tsunagi, Iwate Prefecture" note the pressed-cord pattern decorating the 'empty space' between the major designs.

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The Jōmon people living on the modern-day Japanese archipelago created some of the earliest pottery in the world. The pottery they created was complex and highly decorated with designs created by pressing cords, dowels, and other objects into the wet clay before it was fired.

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Named after the cord-like patterns decorating their exterior, Jomon pottery was a prolific part of early Japanese culture from roughly 13600- 900 B.C.E

The true origins of Jomon pottery are unknown, with some believing it originated through the warm, rich conditions of Kyushu and others thinking it spread through Japan through diffusion.

Either way, Jomon pottery played a key role in early Japanese cooking traditions, allowing for food collection, boiling, and storage. These pots were also popular sources of decor, effective burial urns, and dinnerware.

Though it has since been dethroned, a Jomon pot discovered in the archipelago was once considered the oldest example of pottery, giving archaeologists insight into the lifestyles of early civilization.

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538 AD: Introduction of Buddhism to Japan

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538 AD: Introduction of Buddhism to Japan

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Buddhism's introduction to Japan marked a significant cultural and religious shift. It brought new philosophies, art forms, and architectural styles influencing Japanese society for centuries.

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710 AD: Nara Period Establishes Cultural Foundations

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710 AD: Nara Period Establishes Cultural Foundations

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The establishment of the Nara Period saw the centralization of the government and the flourishing of Japanese culture, with advancements in poetry, religion, and state affairs.

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794 AD: Heian Period and the Flourishing of Art and Literature

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794 AD: Heian Period and the Flourishing of Art and Literature

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The Heian Period was celebrated for its cultural elegance, where poetry, literature like The Tale of Genji, and intricate art forms thrived among the noble classes.

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With the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate, Japan saw a shift towards a military government. This period deeply impacted Japanese governance, culture, and arts, including the rise of the Samurai culture.

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1330-1332 AD: Tsurezuregusa "Essays in Idleness"

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1330-1332 AD: Tsurezuregusa "Essays in Idleness"

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After Go-Daigo was ousted and driven into exile by the regime of the Ashikaga shoguns, Kenkō withdrew to a cottage. There, he lived and composed the 243 essays of the Tsurezuregusa, which he later put on the walls.

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The arrival of Portuguese traders and missionaries initiated Japan's first direct contact with the Western world, influencing Japanese society through new goods, technology, and religious ideas.

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1522-1591 AD: Sen no Rikyu and the Tea Ceremony

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1522-1591 AD: Sen no Rikyu and the Tea Ceremony

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While the tea ceremony can trace its origins to China, during the Muromachi Period (1333-1573), Sen no Rikyu had cemented the strict rules of the ceremony into practice. He is considered to be the person with the greatest influence on the Japanification of tea. Major effects that he had on tea culture were that there was a philosophy of tea culture, a new standard for tea and the implements used in its preparation, and an addition of cultural aesthetics and refinement that go beyond the simple act of drinking tea.

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1603 AD: Edo Period Brings Peace and Isolation

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1603 AD: Edo Period Brings Peace and Isolation

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The Edo Period was characterized by peace and strict social order. It saw the development of rich cultural forms like ukiyo-e prints and Kabuki theater while Japan maintained isolation from foreign influences.

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1868 AD: Meiji Restoration and Modernization

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1868 AD: Meiji Restoration and Modernization

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The Meiji Restoration marked the end of the shogunate and the beginning of modern Japan, as the country opened up to Western influence, rapidly modernizing its political, social, and industrial landscapes.

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Post-WWII, Japan underwent significant cultural and economic changes under American occupation, leading to democratization and a boom in industries like electronics and automobiles.

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1980s: Economic Bubble and Cultural Shifts

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1980s: Economic Bubble and Cultural Shifts

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The 1980s in Japan saw an economic bubble that led to prosperity but eventually burst. This period was also marked by cultural shifts, including advancements in technology, fashion, and entertainment.

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2011: Great East Japan Earthquake and Humanity's Resilience

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2011: Great East Japan Earthquake and Humanity's Resilience

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The Great East Japan Earthquake was a devastating natural disaster, drawing global attention to Japan's resilience and humanitarian efforts, influencing both domestic and international dialogues on disaster preparedness.