JAPAN: FROM SHINTO TO EMPEROR
Japan is an island nation and its mountains and surrounding water provide a context for its history. The very first human habitation in the Japanese archipelago has been traced to prehistoric times around 30,000 BC. Between the fourth century and the ninth century, Japan's many kingdoms and tribes gradually came to be unified under a centralized government, nominally controlled by the Emperor. This imperial dynasty continues to reign over Japan.
Elisabeth will guide us through some of the highlights of each of Japans historical periods and we will have the opportunity to examine the myths, art and architecture of each period. We will also explore early Japanese religious life which is a mix of native Shinto practices and Buddhism.