Yayoi period (300 BC-250AD)

1. Yayoi society
   
   
   1. Yayoi culture was based in wet-rice agriculture: permanent settlements with complex irrigation systems
      
      
   2. society ruled by chieftains with religious and military authority -- we have some evidence of social organization from Chinese records
      
      
2. Yayoi physical culture/artifacts
   
   
   1. iron and wood tools
      
   2. housing
      
      • houses are semi-sunken with thatched roofs
      • shallow hearths in center of floors
      • communities are larger and are clustered around fields and storehouses
        
   3. symbols of authority
      
      • bells (dötaku)
      • swords and spears
      • mirrors
      • burial mounds
        
3. Japan in Chinese records
   
   1. Seal of King Na of Wa
   2. Himiko of Yamatai

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Yayoi

Wa

Yamatai

Yamato

Himiko