ABSTRACT
The eighth century was a period of classical grandeur in fine arts as well as in State and religious organization. Although Buddhism was the dominating force of the eighth century, the indigenous religion maintained its influence upon the people, and Confucianism played an important role in social and political institutions. Refinement made a remarkable advance but did not result in effeminate sentimentalism, as was to be the case later. The collection represents the poetic genius of a people just emerging from a primitive outlook and aspiring towards deeper sentiments and higher ideals. The accumulation of wealth and power, both in the Government and in the Buddhist hierarchy, caused degeneracy to appear in every phase of their aristocratic life. Cultural work was conducted in the provinces and economic conditions were improved. Schools were established, sciences and arts were introduced and further cultivated. In short, out of a primitive state of tribal life Japan was speedily transformed into a civilized nation.
