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Honshu Japan

INTRODUCTION

Honshu, the largest island of the Japanese archipelago, is often called the mainland (in fact the name Honshu means main land). It is among the top ten largest islands in the world larger than many US states), and is the world's second highest island population. The island offers adventures as diverse as any destination around the globe, with several historic and World Heritage sites, mountains and volcanoes, valleys, lakes and rivers and the most densely populated city int he history of the human race.

HISTORY

Honshu has a history that predates recorded history, and as such it is difficult to cover in great detail. Most of Japan's important historical events happened on the island, from the establishment of the Imperial line to the founding of modern government. Most of the cultural developments are the result of main land life, from the creation of pottery to the forging techniques of the now legendary Japanese sword.

The island is a world leader in technology, industry and textile manufacture, and continues to make commonplace impressive industrial and architectural feats such as the Shinkansen high speed "Bullet" train and the Seikan Tunnel which connects Honshu with the northern island of Hokkaido.

Earliest habitation dates back thousands of years, and often includes migration from China and Korea. Their influence brought Japan out of the stone age, and introduced several innovations ranging from agriculture (primarily rice farming) to bronze working. The earliest records date to around the first century AD, when China demanded Japan submit to their rule. The Chinese introduced new systems of manufacture and agriculture, and gave the locals the roots of their writing system. Prior to Chinese innovations took hold, life was

primarily based on hunting, fishing and agriculture. There were no methods of recording hisotical events until the introduction of the Chinese writing system, when the Japanese began detailing their history and philosophy.

During the Kofun Period (between the third and eighth centuries), Japan changed a great deal. The roots of political life were founded in the third century, detailing the Imperial lineage called the Yamato Court. the focus of the Yamato State was the suppression of violence (ultimately bringing the peasants under one rule), and developing string agriculture. Leaders ruled from Yamato Province, now Nara Prefecture, which at the time covered most of southern Honshu.

In 607 the first buildings of the Horyu-ji temple complex were constructed in Nara prefecture. Many of the oldest wooden structures in Japan are associated with this temple, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The introduction of Buddhism from Korea added a new flavor to the Japanese way of life, and led to the development of several temples and shrines. Some of the world's oldest surviving temples, such as the impressive Sensoji, in the Asakusa district of Tokyo, founded around 628 AD.

Political policy also began to change during the early years of the 7th century, based on the guidance of the Chinese and Korean courts. Confucianism and Taoism became prominent influences on political and philosophical thought. The capital moved several times, from Asuka-kyo to Heijo-kyo (modern Nara), and a few brief stops in several cities (traditionally, the capital would move after the death of an Emperor) before finally settling in Kyoto.

in 788, legendary Buddhist monk Saicho founded an important temple con Mount Hiei, north of Kyoto. The temple grew into one of the largest and most powerful of its time. At its peak, the complex included more than 3,000 buildings and countless monks.

In 794, the Imperial family moved to Heian-kyo (present day Kyoto). By the 11th century, the city would officially become the national capital, and earned a new name: Kyoto. It would remain the capital for the next 1,000 years. The nation would enjoy many years of growth in politics, culture, arts and literature. A new writing system evolved within Kyoto, and several famous works were written, including the Tale of Genji,considered the world's first literary classic. Emperor Shirakawa also began a long standing tradition of retiring to a monastic lifestyle. In 1087, Emperor Shirakawa became the first of the "cloistered Emperors".

The higher education allowed the military class to grow in strength, and by the middle of the 11th century the samurai would challenge Imperial rule. Asa result, during the middle ages, Honshu slipped into a long civil war. The rise of the military class led to conflict with the Imperial line, and the Imperial family became divided. Two branches of warrior (the Minamoto and the Taira) rose to the top, and engaged each other in an all out effort to rid the nation of each other. For a short time the Taira ruled, but the Minamoto would rise against their treacherous leaders and ultimately gain control of the Imperial family, and the nation.

The Minamoto ruled Japan from the small city of Kamakura, south of Edo (now Tokyo), until the early 1330s, founding the first military government, known as the Shogunate. The Minamoto clan instigated the first military laws, establishing a formal code in the early 13th century. New methods of resolving disputes and punishing criminals were enforced as the warrior class began to form a cohesive unit that would shape the direction of Japan over the next six centuries.

The warrior class became instrumental in the spread of Buddhism throughout Honshu. Several new sects sprang up, leading to clashes within the traditions. The result was a new breed of Japanese monk known as Sohei (monk warriors). The most prominent temples supporting sohei were in the Kyoto and Nara regions, including Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Mii-dera and Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei. The many temples often fought with each other, going so far as to burn rival temples to the ground (such as mii-dera in 1141). Surviving temples grew in power and fame, and were often called on to settle disputes within the Imperial family and rival military clans.

During the late 13th century, Japan suffered a Mongol invasion, but due to several fortunate events, the invaders didn't get past the shores of Kyushu. National spirit was elevated, and the Japanese sword became an object of reverence. Many attributed their salvation to divine intervention (often citing the typhoons now lovingly referred to as Kamikaze, or Divine Winds as proof).

Not surprisingly, the dramatic military based changes Honshu experienced greatly influenced the flavor of more than simple politics. Literature in particular began to reflect the turbulent, often violent nature of the Japanese middle ages.

Following the decline of the Minamoto shogunate, another military family, the Ashikaga, also descended from the Imperial line, would rule Japan from Kyoto. Some power was restored to the Emperor, but before long the warrior class became dissatisfied with Imperial influence and began to rebel. Towards the end of Ashikaga rule, Honshu once again entered years of war, constantly shifting political boundaries, and the landscape of Honshu changed.The ten year long Onin War would usher in more than a century of civil war.

During this era, several western explorers began arriving on the island, seeking trade. Japan was intensely wary of foreigners, but slowly began to accept the potential. The development would greatly influence warrior culture over the next several centuries. Several trade ports were established along the coast of Honshu, and foreign vessels were restricted to these ports. The resulting financial prosperity led to growth in local crafts and architecture. Local warlords experienced unprecidented economic boons and invested heavily in Honshu. The most prominent project may have been the now famous Osaka Castle, built under the guidance of then ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Among the more important early developments was the introduction of firearms by the Portuguese traders. Another important import was Christianity, which wold eventually become outlawed.

In 1568, rising warlord Oda Nobunaga took control of Kyoto and brought an end to much of the conflict. Oda grew suspicious of the sohei, in particular those of Mount Hiei, then the most powerful of the warrior monk sects. 1571, he rose a force of around 30,000 men and burnt the temple to the ground, killing thousands of Buddhist monks. The event brought to an end the power of the sohei.

In the 1570s, Oda built the now historic Azuchi Castle overlooking picturesque Lake Biwa. Only a few years after its completion, Oda was betrayed by Akechi Mitsuhide, and killed in Kyoto.

The years of civil war came to a decisive close in the fall of 1600, when the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated the Hideyoshi clan at the Battle of Sekigahara, outside a town of the same name located in modern Gifu province. Sekigahara was the last major battle in Japan until the Boshin War of the mid 1800s. With the exception of the Siege of Osaka in 1614, Japan entered a long age of peace and prosperity, and seclusion.

Honshu became a hotbed for artistic and cultural development. New forms of swordsmanship evolved out of the prevailing peace, many of which are practiced around the world today.

the warrior code also evolved, taking more philosophical influence, known as bushido. the growing economy allowed the lower classes to explore leisure pursuits, such as newly formed theatre and print works such as ukiyo-e woodblock prints and bunraku theatre.

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Japanese loyalists began a movement to regain the unique qualities of Japanese life, and attempted to distance themselves from their Chinese and Korean roots.

The island would be subject to foreign rule when the United States forced the nation to surrender at the end of the Second World War.

In 1998, the city of Nagano hosted the XVIII Winter Olympics. Notable events from these games include the first ever Olympic snowboarding competition, the introduction of women's ice hockey, and the first foray into the winter games for several countries including Kenya and Venezuela. The XVIII Winter Olympics also produced the youngest Olympic champion in the history of the games, figure skater Tara Lipinski.

The island is heavily traveled, in spite of the often difficult terrain. A long mountain range stretches across Honshu, rising as high as 12,389 ft (3,776 m) to the summit of Mt. Fuji, the highest point in all of Japan. Many of the mountains are actually volcanoes, including Mt Fuji. Fuji-san last erupted in 1707, and spewed volcanic ash into the surrounding miles over two weeks.

Honshu is home to two of the largest and most visited cities in Asia, Tokyo and Kyoto, the ancient capital. Most of the well known Japanese destinations are on the main island, including Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya and Nagano, site of the 1998 Winter Olympics.

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