ABSTRACT
The fifth and sixth centuries are truly significant for Japanese cultural history because it was during that time that Japan was influenced by Chinese civilization on a massive scale, much in the manner in which the country was subjected to the influence of Western civilization in the nineteenth century. During the seventh and eighth centuries, the continental culture and institutions were assimilated by the Japanese. Buddhism was adopted officially in Japan because of the triumph of the Soga family over its political rivals. The Soga family, which steadily gained in power after their victory over the Mononobe and Nakatomi families, had fastened a firm grip on the government and began behaving in an arbitrary fashion, controlling the succession to the imperial throne. With the advent of Buddhism, many shamanic women infiltrated that world as well. With the removal of the Soga, the new ruling clique set about initiating political, social, and economic reforms.
