The Emergence of Political Rulership and the State in Early Japan

The Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group provides critical insights into the emergence of political rulership and state formation in early Japan. Research reveals that aristocratic burial customs and overseas links with Korea and China played pivotal roles in shaping the Early Kofun political ideology. Notably, this period featured a significant female component in leadership, which later diminished. The study traces the transformation of Kofun-period culture through continental immigration and highlights the influence of the Lelang Commandery on mounded burial practices. This research offers a nuanced understanding of Japan's ancient state development, blending archaeological evidence with historical analysis.

Barnes, G. L. (2018). The Emergence of Political Rulership and the State in Early Japan. Japan Emerging, 77–88. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429499531-9