throughout the following period. Buddhism only started to spread after Mononobe no Moriya lost in the Battle of Shigisan in 587 where the Mononobe clan was defeated and crushed, and Empress Suiko openly encouraged the acceptance of Buddhism among all Japanese people. In 607, in order to obtain copies of Sutras, an imperial embassy was dispatched to Sui Dynasty China. Yamato Imperial Court The It was named because there were many palace capitals in the southern part of the Yamato Plain in Nara during the Kofun period and the Asuka period. The Asuka period is known for its significant artistic, social, and political transformations, which had their origins in the late Kofun period. The second half of the Kofun period, exercised power over clans in Kyushu and Honshu, bestowing titles, some hereditary, on clan chieftains. The Yamato name became synonymous with all of Japan as the Yamato rulers suppressed the clans and acquired agricultural lands. Based on Chinese models (including the adoption of the Chinese written language), they developed a central administration and an imperial court attended by subordinate clan chieftains but with no permanent capital. Asuka period mid-seventh century, the agricultural lands had grown to a substantial public domain, subject to the central policy. The basic administrative unit of the Gokishichido system was the county, and society was organized into occupation groups. Most people were farmers; others were fishers, weavers, potters, artisans, armorers and ritual specialists. Events 538: The Korean kingdom of Baekje dispatches a delegation to introduce Buddhism to the Japanese emperor 593: Prince Shōtoku of the Soga clan rules Japan and promotes Buddhism 600: Prince Shōtoku sends the first official Japanese mission to China 604: Prince Shōtoku issues a Chinese-style constitution (Kenpo Jushichijo), based on Confucian principles, which de facto inaugurates the Japanese empire 605: Prince Shōtoku declares Buddhism and Confucianism the state religions of Japan 607: Prince Shōtoku builds the Buddhist temple Horyuji in the Asuka valley 645: Prince Shōtoku is succeeded by Kotoku Tenno, who strengthens imperial power over aristocratic clans (Taika Reform), turning their states into provinces 663: Yamato naval and allied Korean Baekje forces are defeated by the naval forces of China's Tang Dynasty at the Battle of Baekgang See also Kofun era Asuka Yayoi Nara period History of Japan References Citations Sources Includes bibliographical references and index. Sections of this book are available to download as PDF's. Kofun period Asuka period