- published: 15 Sep 2015
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The Asuka period (飛鳥時代, Asuka jidai?), was a period in the history of Japan lasting from 538 to 710 (or 592-645), although its beginning could be said to overlap with the preceding Kofun period. The Yamato polity evolved much during the Asuka period, which is named after the Asuka region, about 25 km south of the modern city of Nara.
The Asuka period is also known for its significant artistic, social, and political transformations, having their origins in the late Kofun period, but largely affected by the arrival of Buddhism from China via Korean Peninsula. The introduction of Buddhism has marked a change in Japanese society. The Asuka period is also distinguished by the change in the name of the country from Wa (倭?) to Nihon (日本?).
Artistically, the period can be further divided into two periods, the Asuka period (up to the Taika Reforms), where early Buddhist culture imports and influences are seen from Northern Wei via Three Kingdoms of Korea, and Hakuhō period (after Taika Reform), in which more Sui and Tang influences appear.