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Yayoi period

Yayoi period

Around 300 BC, Japan finally transitioned to an agricultural economy. This period, from around 300 BC to 250 BC, is called the Yayoi period after the name of the pottery used at the time. Yayoi pottery is characterized by being thinner and harder than Jomon pottery.
During this era, metal tools were introduced from the continent. One notable feature in Japan is that bronze and iron tools were brought in almost at the same time. With the spread of iron farming tools, dry fields were created. Rice was harvested with stone sickles, and the harvested rice was stored in elevated storehouses. The people of this time lived in hilltop settlements.

 

Timeline of the Yayoi period

According to the Geography section of the Book of Han, it is said that Wa (Japan) was divided into more than 100 small countries.
57 AD According to the Records of the Later Han in the Account of the Eastern Barbarians, the Nu country in Fukuoka Prefecture sent tribute to the Later Han dynasty and received a golden seal in return.
107 AD There is a description that the king of Wa (Japan) presented 160 captured people as tribute.
late 2nd century Great disturbance in Wa (Japan) is written in several Chinese historical books. After this great disturbance, it is believed that around 30 small countries united under a coalition centered around Yamatai (Yamato) ruled by Queen Himiko.
239 AD Queen Himiko dispatched her envoy Nashime to Wei, and she was then recognized as a vassal queen by Wei.
After a conflict with the Kunakoku kingdom, Queen Himiko died, and a male king was appointed, but the country fell into internal strife. Then, Iyo was appointed as the queen.
266 AD Queen Iyo made a tribute to the court of Jin.

Facilities where you can learn about the Yayoi period

Yoshinogari Historical Park (Yoshinogari-chō, Saga Prefecture)
http://www.yoshinogari.jp/

Sannai-Maruyama Site（Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture）
http://sannaimaruyama.pref.aomori.jp/

Shizuoka City Toro Museum (Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture)
http://www.shizuoka-toromuseum.jp/

Fukuoka City Museum (Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
http://museum.city.fukuoka.jp/

Kanenokuma Ruins Exhibition Hall (Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
https://yokanavi.com/spot/26807/

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