1. From hunter-gatherers to rice growers Early Japanese History Matthew Ripley-Moffitt Cary Academy World Cultures

5. Jomon Era Social Structure: Local areas controlled by clans Clan – group of people descended from common ancestor Each clan believed in nature gods & goddesses – called kami Trees, rocks, waterfalls, mountains and other nature forms were the home of one or another kami

6. Four Major Changes in 3 rd Century BCE : (arrival of Yayoi people from China and Korea) 1. Move to dependence on wet rice agriculture for dietary subsistence 2. Use and make metal tools & weapons 3. Active contact with East Asia continent 4. Social stratification & emergence of political alliances

8. Yayoi Period Metallurgy

9. Yayoi Period Changes in Social Structure At first peasant farmers living in small villages Village chiefs exercised political and religious power Yamato clan chieftain called “emperor of Japan” Extended family groups made up villages Strongest clans gained “regional” control Growing difference between ruler and ruled clan elders evolved into village chiefs Circa 300 BCE Yamato clan strongest in Japan Large land owners at top of social structure peasant farmers at bottom