 While the official introduction of Buddhism in Japan did occur in the 6th century, the religion faced a hostile aristocracy and it was not until the 7th century that Buddhism became an important part of Japanese culture.The Buddha at Asuka-dera, the earliest dated Japanese image, was cast in 606 by Tori Busshi an immigrant from Korea or China.The temple where the image is housed states that Tori Busshi was from Korea.