essay

The Yayoi period

Prehistory of JapanNew York • Published In 1982 • Pages: 187-250

By: Aikens, C. Melvin, Higuchi, Takayasu.

Abstract
Aikens and Higuchi write an overview of the Yayoi culture. A diversity of topics are covered. They discuss the transition from Jomon to Yayoi, the continuities between the two periods, and the spread of Yayoi. '…[S]ite summaries … illustrate the most important cultural characteristics and developments of the Yayoi period, with attention focused on Kyushu, where the culture first appeared, and the Kyoto-Osaka region, where it reached its highest development….[The chapter closes] with a partial account of Yayoi period culture as seen through the eyes of early Chinese historical chroniclers…' (page 199). The site summaries include descriptions of technology, settlement patterns, cemeteries, house structures, food production, etc. The concluding pages include a translation of a portion of the WEI CHIH, which describes the Yayoi people, government, the installation of Queen Himiko and what happened after her death.
Subjects
Location
Cereal agriculture
Woodworking
Ceramic technology
Lithic industries
Smiths and their crafts
Dwellings
Settlement patterns
Weapons
General tools
Utensils
Burial practices and funerals
Chronologies and culture sequences
Cultural stratigraphy
tradition
Yayoi
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
Asia
Sub Region
East Asia
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry ; 2003
Field Date
not specified
Coverage Date
2300 BP-1700 BP (300 B.C.-300 A.D.)
Coverage Place
Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku; Japan
Notes
C. Melvin Aikens, Takayasu Higuchi
Includes bibliographical references (p. 339-347)
LCCN
69011698
LCSH
Yayoi culture