Japan

Japan resisted two Mongol invasions, with the ruler Hojo Tokimune defending the country. The role of Japanese mythology and propaganda in justifying imperial rule is evident, as well as the arrival of new people and the influence of other civilizations. Queen Himiko played a significant role in ruling Yamatai and had diplomatic relations with China, and her burial mound, the Hashihaka kofun, is located in Nara Prefecture. Women held high status and repeatedly entered the chronicles as monarchs in ancient Japan.

The Japanese archipelago was linked to the Korean Peninsula through trade, marriage alliances, and cultural interchange. Soga no Iname introduced the teachings of Buddha to Japan, establishing Buddhism as the official religion. Soga no Iname's family had been covert followers of Buddhism for many generations. Soga no Iname viewed Buddhism as a means to acquire power and influence. Emperor Kinmei ordered the destruction of Buddhist temples due to a plague outbreak. Prince Shotoku established Buddhism as the official religion under Empress Regnant Suiko. Shotoku and Suiko built temples, dispatched envoys to China, and formulated a constitution. Shotoku laid the groundwork for a stable state in Japan and earned the title of the Father of the Nation. In 663, a large Japanese-Baekje army was defeated by Tang Chinese ships. Silla's cavalry fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to the Hwarang. The Hwarang were trained from a young age to be formidable warriors. The remaining Baekje fighters were vanquished and forced into hiding in the mountains. The fall of Baekje strained relations between Japan and the Koreas. Japan established Heijo-Kyo as its new capital for stability and diplomacy. The construction of the Great Buddha statue in Todaiji Temple marked a significant milestone in Japan's history. The statue served as a symbol of Imperial legitimacy and international recognition. Prince Shotoku's reforms and Japan's establishment as a state led to the construction of the statue. Bodhisena, a Tamil man, played a crucial role in the construction of the statue. The painting of the Buddha's eyes marked a profound moment of holiness. The statue became a source of pride for Japan but also incurred long-term financial and social costs.

Emperor Kammu's choice to relocate the capital to Heian-kyo marked a departure from religious influence. The new capital thrived as a hub of education and culture. Kyoto served as the Imperial Capital until 1869 when conflicts arose on Japan's borders. The Emishi people in the north resisted foreign domination and controlled their fate. The Great Pacification Era was an unsuccessful endeavor by the Japanese Court to subjugate and integrate the Emishi people in the north. The Emishi, who resided in what is now Tokyo, were viewed as uncivilized by the Japanese Court. Despite numerous punitive expeditions, little progress was made due to the Emishi's strategic prowess, challenging supply lines, and harsh winter conditions. In 774, the Emperor announced the start of THE GREAT PACIFICATION ERA. The Emishi employed cunning tactics, such as luring Yamato troops into traps, leading to their retreat. A crucial battle ensued, resulting in the Emishi's victory over the Yamato forces and the dissolution of the army. The Court's efforts to conquer the Emishi were ultimately fruitless, and it would take another four centuries before the North was fully assimilated into Japan through cultural means. Abe no Nakamaro's voyage to Chang-an was part of a diplomatic mission. During the embassy's journey, member Abe no Nakamaro spotted a girl with golden hair in the crowd. The trip to China was perilous and arduous, with only two ships surviving.

Nakamaro marvels at the extensive road and relay station network in China. He is enchanted by the elegance of a woman dressed in a delicate gauze outfit. Abe no Nakamaro is revered as a symbol of peace and friendship between Japan and China. The Tale of Genji, penned by Murasaki Shikibu, is recognized as the world's first novel, while other noblewomen from the court kept diaries. Sei Shōnagon, a prominent female writer and influencer in the court, held a contemptuous attitude towards commoners. Samurai clans emerged in Japan, with the Minamoto clan ascending to power by defeating the Taira clan. Political authority swiftly transitioned from Kyoto to Kamakura in the east. Samurai influence was centered in Kamakura and later Edo for seven centuries. The emperor relocated from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1868. Monks and priests were viewed as sycophantic and deceitful, causing confusion and misguidance. Prophecies of calamities such as pestilence, comets, double suns, eclipses, and other ominous signs were foretold. Predictions of torrential rains, violent winds, famine, invincible marauders, and widespread suffering were also made. The priest Nichiren was sentenced to death but miraculously saved by divine intervention. The Mongols made two unsuccessful attempts to invade Japan, thwarted once by a typhoon. Japan successfully repelled the Mongol invasion. The Mongols planned a massive invasion with numerous fleets and soldiers. Japanese samurai fought valiantly and successfully defended against the initial invasion. A divine storm intervened and obliterated the enemy ships. The Mongols faced a devastating defeat, and Japan maintained its unity.