This is the first book-length study of the Yayoi and Kofun periods of Japan (c.600 BC-AD 700), in which the beginning of rice paddy-field farming ignited the rapid development of social complexity and hierarchy that culminated with the formation of the ancient state. A must-read for those interested in Japanese and East Asian history and archaeology, state formation, and archaeological theory.
Written by two presidents of the World Archaeological Congress, this volume introduces the readers to the various theoretical and methodological frameworks available for the social archaeology of the past and their implications for contemporary societies.
Challenging the belief in a continuous Japanese culture spanning over 30,000 years, this work critically analyzes archaeological evidence and its interpretations. It explores the concept of "Japanese-ness" through various material items, including Zen Buddhist gardens and Jomon clay figurines, questioning the assumptions underlying the notion of an unbroken cultural lineage. By examining these artifacts and their historical context, the book provides a fresh perspective on Japan's cultural evolution.