I’ve been reading alot about this topic but so far, can it be deduced that modern Japanese, especially in terms of their continental Asian ancestry, descend from proto Japonic and Koreanic lineages whilst modern Koreans show more exclusive continuity with proto Koreanic lineages?

Recent genetic studies show that the Yayoi were more related to ancient Korean Ando population, which I believe is more related to proto Japonic/Mumun/Hongshan peoples, and that Kofun were more “Yellow River shifted”, which I think is reflective of proto Koreanics coming from Bronze Age west Liao river groups, who were mostly of yellow river descent .

Relevant sources:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s10038-024-01295-w

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8612925/

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.06.09.495471v1.full

I am posting this using Google Translate. I apologize if the English translation is awkward or difficult to read.

Premises of the Analysis

⭕️ The origin of the state is defined as the period when standardized systems were implemented across a wide region.

⭕️ The origin of Japan is posited to be the Buzen area along the coast of the Suo-nada Sea.

⭕️ The center of the state is presumed to have remained in the Buzen area until the defeat at the Battle of Baekgang.

⭕️ The terms *Wa* (倭), *Yamataikoku* (邪馬台国), *Daiwa* (大倭), and *Yamato* (大和) are all equated with "Yamato."

⭕️ Established theories, mainstream views, and the *Kojiki* and *Nihon Shoki* are not prioritized.

⭕️ Priority is placed on factual consistency, relying on physical evidence and highly reliable information.

⭕️ The analysis takes into account disparities in the extent of archaeological excavation.

Introduction

If you truly love history and seek the truth, please read my articles. If you prefer to enjoy history as a romanticized tale or fantasy, please do not read them.

Much of the debate surrounding Japan's origins tends to get bogged down in word puzzles regarding "Yamataikoku" and "Himiko"—names that appear in 3rd-century records. Since I do not view this approach as a genuine quest for truth, I pursue history through my own analysis, placing primary importance on tangible physical evidence.

To truly explore Japan's origins, one must focus on the dramatic paradigm shift—a radical transformation—in civilization that occurred in the early 2nd century.

In 107 AD, the name "Suisho" (King of Wa) suddenly appeared in Chinese historical records. That period marked a complete transformation in the "hardware" of western Japan.

Tools evolved from simple soft iron to quenched implements resembling "steel" (martensitic steel). The diverse, hand-molded pottery styles previously found across various regions sharply declined, replaced by the overwhelmingly high-quality "Ankokuji-style pottery"—a mass-produced ware created using standardized techniques that became the norm across a wide area. Furthermore, mass production of obsidian arrowheads from Himeshima began; these spread explosively throughout the Seto Inland Sea region, becoming a standardized item.

I place great importance on these facts in my exploration of Japan's origins.

Yet, for some reason, existing hypotheses and the "Kinki-centric" view of history seem to downplay or even ignore these facts—almost as if they were inconvenient truths.

I have spent quite a while on this introduction. I have summarized the details below.

In this article, I will explain the historical figure Suisho and three key elements of this transformation.

If you are interested in the origins of Japan—beyond mere romance or fantasy—please read on.

Shuai Sheng　帥升

In 107 AD, the name of a certain man suddenly appeared in the Chinese historical chronicle *Book of the Later Han*.

「安帝永初元年、倭国王帥升等献生口百六十人、願見」

This is a record well-known to history enthusiasts.

While various forms of physical evidence confirm that Wa (Japan) had engaged in exchange with the continent long before this period, this marks the first instance where a specific individual's name appears in the records.

Although there is no information regarding the origins of Suisheng—recorded as the "King of Wa"—I place great importance on the region that underwent rapid development immediately following this event.

The title "King of Na of Wa" (Kan no Wa no Na no Koku-ō) appears in earlier records; while this serves as evidence of contact, I have found no signs of the drastic civilizational transformation—such as the widespread standardization of material culture—that characterized the subsequent era.

Based on this, I consider the figure named Suisheng, who appears in the Later Han records, to be a likely catalyst for the advancement of Japanese civilization. I view the "origins of Japan" as lying in that period of radical civilizational change and the subsequent standardization of cultural practices across a wide region.

The key point here is that:

"Japanese civilization began to advance rapidly in tandem with Suisheng’s tributary mission."

"Three Elements" Proving the Civilizational Transformation

I will now explain in detail the three specific types of physical evidence—"iron," "pottery," and "stone arrowheads"—that I consider crucial to understanding the acceleration of civilization that began in the early second century.

1. Iron (Steel) Technology Advanced Civilization

Let me start with the conclusion: I believe that the iron-working technique of "quenching" significantly advanced Japanese civilization and laid the foundation for the nation.

Let me first define the terms I will be using here.

I will refer to the iron used up until the 1st century—which was merely heated and shaped—simply as "iron" (specifically, "soft iron").

I will refer to the tough, quenched iron implements that appeared in the 2nd century as "steel."

From a scientific standpoint, this material is arguably an intermediate form between "steel" (martensite) and "iron," but for the sake of simplicity, I will call it "steel."

The Technology of "Quenching" Iron Transformed the Formation of the Japanese State

From "Iron" to "Steel": Ancient Japanese civilization accelerated once it crossed a specific technological threshold. That technology was the technique of "quenching." While iron implements prior to the 1st century were made of "soft iron"—shaped by heating and hammering—the 2nd century saw the emergence of tough "steel" in certain regions, created through quenching. This material—essentially "steel"—represented the technological turning point that laid the foundation for Japan.

The Influx of Steel and the Role of the "Nakoku" State

It is highly probable that the catalyst for this technological influx was the visit to the Later Han dynasty by Suisho (Shu Sheng) in 107 AD. In fact, as there is no other surviving information regarding this, we will tentatively identify that event as the starting point.

This diplomatic engagement strengthened ties with the Later Han, and it was the state of "Nakoku" that first received this cutting-edge steel technology. Indeed, evidence from Nakoku during this period confirms the use of steel technology, as well as a rapid increase in raised-floor storehouses—structures that required both advanced engineering and steel tools to construct. Up to this point, the narrative aligns with established historical consensus.

However, the true transformation begins here.

Shifting the Center of Gravity to Buzen: In reality, it was the "Buzen area"—rather than the state of Na—that truly reaped the benefits of steel technology. The following facts from the 2nd century illustrate this:

Dramatic Advances in Housing

While raised-floor storehouses utilizing mortise-and-tenon joinery first appeared in the state of Na, their numbers continued to rise in Buzen. Such progress was made possible only by the availability of tools that combined both durability and sharpness.

Refinement of "Shaving" Techniques

There was a rapid increase in the production of "Ankokuji-style" pottery—which required high precision—as well as mass-produced versions of the same type. This phenomenon would have been impossible without the transmission of specific techniques and the availability of steel "shaving tools."

A Shift in Stone Tool Production

In the Buzen region, "stone arrowheads" were made using obsidian from Himeshima—a material that was virtually inexhaustible but notoriously difficult to work with due to its extreme hardness; however, production volumes surged dramatically during this period. This, too, would have been impossible without steel tools.

A Reversal of Fortunes

Surprisingly, as time progressed, settlements around the state of Na showed a trend toward reduced armament and smaller sizes; in contrast, the Buzen area flourished. Evidence of concentrated wealth and power is visible, such as the increasingly lavish grave goods found in the tombs of women. These facts lead to the conclusion that it was the power in Buzen—not the state of Na—with which the Later Han dynasty formed an alliance.

Why Did the Later Han Choose Buzen?

Why did the Later Han go to the trouble of crossing the treacherous Kanmon Straits to select Buzen? The answer lies in "mercury-based vermilion."

The Buzen area held a significant geopolitical advantage: it could not only produce this vermilion—a substance the Later Han desperately craved—but also consolidate supplies from regions like Awa via the Seto Inland Sea route.

I believe the Later Han supported Buzen (Yamato/Japan) specifically to secure this vermilion, and that Japan advanced its civilization by using the vermilion trade to acquire steel, pottery-making techniques, and iron resources.

It is likely that the Later Han learned of this source of vermilion during tribute-bearing missions, such as the scene depicted in the image below. (This is, of course, speculation.)

2. The Emergence and Mass Production of Ankoku-ji Pottery

The technology involving "steel" discussed in the previous chapter—this technological breakthrough fundamentally transformed the nature of "pottery," a staple of daily life.

The Sophisticated Standard of the "Ankokuji Style"

"Ankokuji-style pottery"—found primarily in the Buzen region—boasts a level of precision and hardness far superior to the pottery that preceded it. The emergence of this style serves as irrefutable evidence of the widespread adoption of steel tools designed for shaping (such as those used for maintaining potter's wheels and finishing surfaces). It marks a transition from an era where artisans crafted individual, unique pieces to an era of "prototypes," where consistent quality was ensured through adherence to specific standards.

Shifting to Simplified Mass Production: The True Nature of the Shonai Style

The so-called "Shonai-style" pottery evolved from the Ankokuji lineage, prioritizing greater practicality. Why was there a sudden need for "simplified mass production"? It is believed that this pottery functioned not merely as tableware, but as an "official standardized product" within a broad sphere of dominion. The decision to deliberately "simplify" the precise shaping techniques made possible by steel tools—in order to fire the pottery in large quantities—was likely an administrative measure designed to "install" the "Buzen standard" across settlements in various regions.

3. Mass Production and Standardization of Himeshima Stone Arrowheads

The Buzen-Yamato power bloc had acquired steel technology and introduced the administrative standard of Ankokuji-style pottery. However, the decisive factor in cementing their rule was the management and supply network of yet another essential element: stone arrowheads made from Himeshima obsidian.

Himeshima Obsidian: A "Strategic Resource"

The obsidian produced on Himeshima Island is hard, sharp, and virtually inexhaustible. Yet, this material had a critical drawback: its extreme hardness made mass production using traditional stone-working techniques exceedingly difficult. It was the "steel tools" mentioned in the previous chapter that overcame this limitation. With the advent of steel chisels and carving tools, obsidian production finally shifted from "individual manual crafting" to "factory-style mass production." * Himeshima obsidian contains minute air bubbles and other crystals within its glassy matrix, resulting in a level of strength vastly superior to that of pure obsidian. In short, it is incredibly durable.

Standardized "Lethality"

When examining excavated stone arrowheads, one is struck by how their shapes converge on a specific standard. This reflects a pursuit of functional rationality—creating a "weapon" that would pierce and perform consistently, regardless of who used it.

If pottery served as the "operating system" of daily life, these stone arrowheads could be described as a "unified military standard" distributed by Buzen to settlements across the region.

A comparative study of arrowheads from various locations would likely reveal evidence that they were produced in the same workshops or manufactured according to the same specifications.

Why Stone Arrowheads? A "Stopgap" Before the Full Transition to Iron

Why were obsidian arrowheads mass-produced instead of supplying iron arrowheads for every purpose? The reason is that iron resources at the time were extremely valuable imports, necessitating a "selection" process regarding where iron was consumed. The ruling class strictly controlled iron for use in production and agricultural tools, while relying on Himeshima obsidian—an inexhaustible resource—for hunting and weaponry. Such distinctions in usage existed in these early states.

It would take centuries more for ironware to become the mainstream material for all applications.

Summary: The origins of Japan lie in the broad-scale rule that began in the 2nd century, founded upon the acquisition of steel technology, technological advancement, and the standardization of pottery and stone arrowheads.

What we have explored here is not mythology, but an accumulation of facts. Triggered by the diplomatic mission of Prince Su-sheng (Shisō) in 107 AD, the Buzen region—acting as the heart of this movement—secured the technological foundation of "steel." From there, they expanded their dominion by distributing "Ankokuji-style pottery" as a form of lifestyle infrastructure across a wide area and projecting military power through the standardized "Himeshima stone arrowhead."

This rapid transformation in the early 2nd century was not merely a case of local development. It marked the moment when the archipelago—previously a collection of disparate settlements—began to share a unified management system (or set of standards).

The physical evidence showing the displacement of local pottery and stone tools in favor of the same items used in Buzen proves the existence of Japan's first broad-scale rule—in other words, the "birth of Yamato."

Far more than the narrative constructed by later generations—which claims that a "central government (Nara) unified Japan"—it is this network of technology and standardization that constitutes the true, undeniable origin of Japan.

*Note: Regarding the perspective of this analysis

I previously referred to these elements—which were becoming standardized—as "Antetsu-hime" (Iron-An-Princess). However, as my analysis progressed, I came to prioritize the fact that the technological paradigm shift preceded the material of iron itself, and that "steel" (a highly advanced tool material akin to *hagane*) was the key to everything; consequently, I now use the term "Kōan-hime" (Steel-An-Princess). The precision "shaving" techniques enabled by steel technology made possible the stable supply of Ankokuji-style pottery and the mass production of hard Himeshima obsidian. I believe that the rapid changes resulting from this technology significantly influenced the origins of the state.

Conclusion

In this article, I have outlined three key elements that lead me to believe the origins of Japan lie in the second century. While there are various definitions regarding the formation of ancient states worldwide, the standardization of crucial elements within the infrastructure of daily life serves as compelling physical evidence. Placing great importance on this, I explore Japan's origins by prioritizing material evidence rather than blindly accepting the established theories or mainstream views of the historical academic community—or the accounts found in the *Kojiki* and *Nihon Shoki*.

I have been reading documents about the diplomatic relations between the italian social repubblic (rsi) and Japan. I found it very intresting how Japan after the fall of the rsi refused to recognize the kingdom of Italy and even ignored their declaration of war. Sweden even tried to intervene as mediator to get back the italian diplomats still imprisoned for not having collaborated with the rsi but the japanese replied that "they only recognize the republican governmemt of Mussolini", even tho Mussolini had been dead for months at this point. Even more surprising turns out that 2 italian submarines that decided to stay loyal to the rsi kept fighting with the japanese even after the rsi fell, one of the crewmember Raffaele Sanzio was even given a japanese medal for destroyng an american bomber in august 1945. With all of this i am very corious as to how the japanese propaganda depicted the fall of the rsi and expecially the death of Mussolini. Unfortunatly i cannot look into japanese sources as i do not know the language, does anybody have access to any newspapers from that time?

Did the Imbe Clan ever have an ie? I know the ie system only really started happening during the 13th century, so I was wondering if the Imbe Clan ever had any

While one may criticize the appropriateness of this, it is difficult to say that it does not have a basis in tradition. While people are quick to point out that Japan have had 8 woman emperors, somehow, it is ignored that all of them either did not marry or married their agnatic relatives to keep their successor within the male line. That would be unimaginable for a modern day empress. I would not go as far as to say that patrilineality is the sole basis of the monarchy's legitimacy, but it is uncontroversial that the mystique of the imperial family stemmed from the fact that they are supposedly male line descents of Amaterasu.

Tradition doesn't matter all that much. If people want female emperors, they should do so and break away from tradition. Because the real tradition, which is that the emperor, either male or female, could only be an agnatic descent of their predecessors, is entirely unworkable today.

Hello! I am making a visual novel that sets in japan. the place of interest is an old and iconic research institute. However, I do not know exactly the details of the first destroyed campus (the one i'm interested in)

RIKEN is a science research institute founded in 1917 the first campus, located in komagome (tokyo), was destroyed in WW2 because they were enriching uranium (the thing for making nuclear bombs). since then, RIKEN relocated to the outskirt of tokyo (saitama).

Q1: where is the original campus' precise location?
Q2: what happened to the ruins from the original campus?
Q3: does anyone has any image of the ruin after being destroyed and before being repurposed?

since i could not find the info anywhere, i resorted to make a quick gemini search (which i hate to do). also, its kind of fishy. according to it, the original address was:

Honkomagome 2-28-8, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113, Japan’;

however, this is based on a paper that seems to be from spring-8, not komagome somehow: https://epaper.kek.jp/e94/PDF/EPAC1994_0660.PDF
additionally, the paper references other papers that were published in 1990s (way after the relocation of RIKEN)

Q4: I saw somewhere that the site was bombed in 1945 but was cleaned up many years later. is this true? if so... that would be the perfect window for the event of my fictional story.

Anyone know of any good books about medieval Japan, specifically the sengoku period? Always been interested in the subject.

Hello! I have come across this Yosegaki Hinomaru at an antique store and would like to know more about it if possible. Selfishly, I bought it for myself because I am fascinated with history and have read a few Pacific theater memoirs. I know that this flags are highly personal, and were given to Japanese serviceman during the war. I also understand that this young man most likely never made it home. With that being said I would like to send it back to the family. I know there are some organizations that assist in this like the Oban Society, but again selfishly haha I have spent a lot of money on it and wanted to try here first and then my local university. Thank you all!

Hey everyone, I used to live in Japan and this statue was outside a temple I lived near. Does anyone know who/what he is and represents? There was another nearly identical statue on the other side of the entrance with a few minuscule differences if that provides any further idea.

Thank you!

I was recently playing Assassin's Creed: Shadows and found it really interesting how one of the protagonist's, Naoe, sheathes her tanto. I know that wearing a sword of any sort over the shoulder was sometimes used while horse-riding or long travel but was inconvenient in an actual fight. But I've never seen anything about wearing a tanto on the small of the back, despite searching online.

I know you could sheathe a double-sided knife there, but with a tanto being typically worn blade-up, it seems impractical to unsheathe. Even in game, Naoe clearly spins her wrist around inhumanly to pull out the tanto the right way around.

It obviously is quite stylish and imo looks better than a single tanto would look normally in a sash, but I would love to know if there is any sort of historical basis for wearing a tanto like this or if it is completely made up for cool factor.

Is it known why Japan started to use Chinese letters?

The museum is in Fukuoka, Kyushu. Museum address

筑前町立大刀洗平和記念館
〒838-0814
福岡県朝倉郡筑前町高田2561-1

Found this print in Japan. I think its of a member of the Tsutsui clan but I'm not sure who. Any idea who this is and what is going on with the text? It looks similar to the way some calligraphy from the Song Dynasty looks rather than the typical Japanese calligraphy I'm used to seeing.

I'm really interested in the pre western world interactions history of Japan and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for historical sites or experiences that are less well known or just some places that anyone have gone and really enjoyed.

Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Although this story seems to be relatively unknown worldwide, Japan and the Japanese were involved in humanitarian efforts against the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian Genocides, which happened between 1913 and 1923; Japan truly served as a "Land of the Rising Sun".

This case is extremely interesting to me due to the scale of Japanese help, which, in my opinion, was far more than it naturally should've been considering that the nations involved were almost two continents apart and had almost no historical ties. This will be chronological and very long so bare with me.

During the start of the Armenian genocide, Japanese newspapers actually covered it quite a bit. "Asahi" and "Yomiuri" in particular had published over 100 articles on massacres of Armenians even before the genocide was kickstarted. Onto the genocide, "Asahi" published several news stories, including but not limited to: “Again, Massacres of Armenians” (October 14, 1915), “Armenians drowned in the sea” (November 3, 1915), “Turkey denies massacres of Armenians” (January 14, 1916), and “Terrible hardships of Armenians” (September 16, 1918).

Two of the most condemning articles, in my opinion, were the following: In September 27, 1915, Yomiuri published an article titled “400 thousand people killed,” mentioning that as a result of massacres organized by Ottoman authorities, 400 thousand Armenians lost their lives, and 600 thousand lost their homes and possessions. Meanwhile, in January 7, 1916, the same newspaper published an article called “Armenia on the Verge of Extinction,” noting the harsh reality of the situation.

Surprisingly, in the same time period, a tiny contingent of a few dozen Japanese volunteers were, directly or indirectly, helping these groups fight back against the Turks in the Caucasus. They had enlisted in the Russian Army as volunteers and were transferred to the Caucasus. At least two of them are known to have perished there. Not only that, but the Japanese government also provided an immense amount of weaponry and equipment to Russia which were then transferred to the Caucasus, some of them being given to Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians who had already formed self-defense militia (most famously, I believe, under this hero) and had organized themselves under Russian command.

In 1922, Dr. Loyal Lincoln Wirt whose task was to internationalize the relief effort against the genocides, went outside Europe to ask for help. He went to Japan and, in particular , to Shibusawa Eiichi (well-known as "the Father of Japanese capitalism" amongst other things) for support under the guidance of Walter Bowles who also acted as an interpreter.

However, when Wirt met Shibusawa and was explaining the situation to him, the latter interrupted and asked, “Why did you not come to us with your appeal?” He added, “Was it because we are Buddhists and you thought we would not help Christians in distress? We have read your speeches as reported in the Japan Advertiser [an English-language daily] and we thought we would like to help, even if we have not been invited to do so. Unknown to you, one of our Japanese papers published your appeal, and here is your result”.

Shibusawa then handed over to Wirt a check for $11,000 (over 200,000$ in today’s terms!!!). This money was then donated to the American Near East Relief, helping save thousands of Armenian, Greek and Assyrian lives.

Thereafter the "Armenian Relief Committee", headquartered in Tokyo, was created officially. Shibusawa wrote a letter to about 100 Japanese leaders with the aim of arousing their interest in the relief appeal. Contributions for the fund began to come from all classes of Japanese society, from ordinary people to government ministers, leading businessmen and even royalty.

Possibly one of the most notable ones who "answered the call" was Prince Tokugawa Yoshihisa, the son of the 15th and final shogun of Japan, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, who had also married into the Japanese Imperial Family. So he has both shogun and imperial connections. Not only did he join in the relief drive, but he helped circulate the appeal to members of the House of Peers.

In September 1922, after the Turks brutally captured Smyrna, the Japanese ship "Tokei Maru" was stationed there. When they started burning the Christian quarters down and began massacring their inhabitants, the ship's captain let hundreds (if not thousands) of Greeks, as well as a good number of Armenians, fleeing atrocities board his ship, threatening the Turks and warning them to not touch the victims in the ship. He moved all the victims to Greece safely and it is assumed that multiple trips back-and-forth were done. The captain, whose name is still unknown, remains commemorated in Greece. There's also a book of historical fiction about this.

Also, through Diana Apcar's efforts many Armenians, as well as numbers of Greeks and Assyrians, were accepted to Japan as refugees and were granted stay and refugee status. For anyone who can speak Japanese, the Japanese-language book "The “Diaspora” that Lived in Japan: Diana Apcar and the Armenian Genocide" is a good source on the subject.

This is all I've been able to find online as of now, however there is almost certainly way way more material waiting to be discovered. Hope you learned something new from this.

Sources (too lazy to format, my apologies):

https://mirrorspectator.com/2021/05/08/japanese-media-coverage-of-the-armenian-genocide-1894-19

https://www.academia.edu/3559733/Stories_of_International_Goodness_during_the_Armenian_Geno

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasus_campaign#Others

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-16-9970-2_9

https://eiichi.shibusawa.or.jp/denkishiryo/digital/main/index.php?DK400009k_ (thanks to a person from this subreddit who sent me this one month ago!)

https://ancawr.org/press-release/anca-wr-spotlights-japan-armenia-relations-in-unique-cross-cultural-ev

https://www.gr.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_el/tokeimaru_eventKavala_092022.html

https://agmipublications.am/index.php/ijags/article/view/2/2htente-2rsci20

https://eeyed.gr/tokeimaru/

https://www.barbounakis.com/product/tokei-maru/