Thread by @politicalawake

The Kofun period is an era in the history of Japan from about 300 to 538 AD (the date of the introduction of Buddhism), following the Yayoi period. (1/10)

This period is the earliest era of recorded history in Japan, but studies depend heavily on archaeology since the chronology of historical sources tends to be distorted.

The Kofun period is characterized by influence from China & the Korean Peninsula. (2/10)

The Kofun are burial mounds built for members of the ruling class from the 3rd to the 7th centuries in Japan, & the Kofun period takes its name from the distinctive earthen mounds.

The mounds contained large stone burial chambers & some are surrounded by moats. (3/10)

Kofun have four basic shapes: round & square are the most common, followed by 'scallop-shell' & 'keyhole.'

The keyhole tomb is a distinct style found only in Japan.

The oldest Japanese kofun is Hokenoyama Kofun in Sakurai, Nara, which dates to the late 3rd century. (4/10)

Yamato rule is usually believed to have begun about 250 AD, and it is generally agreed that Yamato rulers had keyhole-kofun culture and hegemony in Yamato until the 4th century.

Autonomy of local powers remained throughout the period. (5/10)

The Kofun period is called the Yamato period by some Western scholars, since this local chieftainship became the imperial dynasty at the end of the period.

However, the Yamato clan ruled just one polity among others during the Kofun era. (6/10)

The Yamato court exercised power over clans in Kyūshū & Honshū, bestowing titles (some hereditary) on clan chieftains.

The Yamato name became synonymous with Japan as Yamato rulers suppressed other clans & acquired agricultural land. (7/10)

During the Kofun period, an aristocratic society with militaristic rulers developed.

The period was a critical stage in Japan's evolution into a cohesive, recognized state. (8/10)

The society was most developed in the Kinai region & the eastern Setouchi region.

Japan's rulers petitioned the Chinese court for confirmation of royal titles.

While the rulers' title was officially "King", they called themselves "Ōkimi". (9/10)

In conclusion the Kofun period recorded Japan's earliest political centralization, when the Yamato clan rose to power in southwestern Japan, established the Imperial House, and helped control trade routes across the region. 🇯🇵 (10/10)