Japanese History
Early Civilization Through the Twentieth Century
Throughout ancient Japan, the economy was distinctly agrarian. During the Jomon Period (13,000 BC to 300 BC), Japanese procured their food by hunting and gathering. The Yayoi Period (300 BC to AD 300) saw the introduction of rice from the Asian continent, and this became the staple of Japanese agriculture. Political power also began to concentrate during the Yayoi Period. As agriculture widened the gap between rich and poor, the political power of the country began to center around the wealthy landowners. The result of this was the formation of kuni (states). Eventually, the kuni began to fight each other…
