History of East Asia 2 - Essay Example

The Yamato clan conquered large part of Japan, especially Honshu and Kyushu islands. As mentioned earlier, there were many clans and families that ruled sections of the country. The biggest threat that a king faced during those times were uprising from these local rulers. By mid 500 AD Buddhism has been established and its peace message ensured that the country did not face too much of internal and external threats for around four hundred years. Even so, there was the possible threat of uprising from some ambitious head of the local clans.

The Heian Empire sought the help of the Fujwara clan in maintaining peace and even allowed them regency rule. This powerful clan helped to see that other clans accepted the rule of the Heian Empire. King Kotoku used another tactic through land and policy reforms to weaken the aristocratic families during the middle of the sixth century AD. He made a rule that all agriculture property in his domain become the property of the emperor which will be leased out to people for cultivation. During later periods, hundreds of Buddhist Temples were built and these were under the control of priests or monks.

Their sheer number and influence began to rise and king feared that his own influence and power may be overshadowed. In 794 AD the current capital was moved to what is today known as Kyoto to reduce the meddling of priests in national affairs. A law was also passed at that time allowing no more than two Buddhist temples to be built within the city premises. So, the popularity and growth of Buddhism gave rise to one more type of threat apart from those that came from the local clans and families.

The Fujiwara clan began to have more influence with the king by the second half of 800 AD. The far sighted head of the clan married off the daughters to emperors ensured that the son born out the liaison would become the king in the future. The head of the Fujiwara clan then would proclaim himself as the regent to