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The theory favored by many Western archeologists is that Japanese are descendants of immigrants from Korea who arrived with agriculture around 400 B.C. Since then many aspects of Japanese culture seen today originated from Korea including Buddhism and the Yakuza in the 6th century. Influence from Korean artists can also be seen ranging from the architecture of Buddhist temples to statues, pottery and even Japanese folk music.

Japanese Language

Architecture

During the Asuka Period, Japanese architecture were primarily influenced by the Paekche Kingdom. Japanese nobility, wishing to take advantage of the culture across the sea, imported Korean artists and artisans to build and decorate their first palaces and temples. Korean architects, sculptors, painters and textile workers were highly respected and rewarded.

Temple Architecture

In 601 AD, Prince Shotoku began the construction of his palace, the first building to have a tiled roof. Next to it he built his temple which became known as the Horyu-ji. He employed workers from Paekche for these two projects. The temple became his personal devotional center where he studied with Hye-che, a Buddhist priest from Koguryo. The temple also housed people who practiced medicine, medical knowledge being another bi-product of Buddhism. Next to the temple there were dormitories which housed student-monks and teacher-monks.

The first Horyu-ji burned to the ground in 670 CE. It was rebuilt and although it is thought to be smaller than the original temple, the Horyu-ji today is much the same as that built by Shotoku. The temple was also rebuilt by artists and artisans from Paekche. The wooden pagoda at Horyu-ji as well as the Golden Hall are thought to be masterpieces of seventh-century Paekche architecture. Two other temples, Hokki-ji and Horin-ji were also possibly built by Paekche workmen.

Pottery

Sculptures

Folk Music

Religion

References

Notes

1. Diamond, Jared (June 1998). "Japanese Roots". Discover Magazine 19 (6).
2. Robert E. Buswell Jr., ed. Currents and Countercurrents: Korean Influences on the Buddhist Traditions of East Asia. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2005.
3. Yearbook for Traditional Music, Vol. 15, East Asian Musics (1983), pp. 31-37