• Japan, 1-500 A.D. [Timeline of Art History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art]
"Around the third century A.D., the practice of building sepulchral mounds and burying treasures with the dead is transmitted to Japan from the continent. The next three centuries are known as the Kofun period, so-named for the many large mounded tombs (kofun) that are built during this time." With a period overview, list of key events, and seven related artworks.

• Kofun Period [Timeline of Art History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art]
A short introduction, with images of five artworks in the museum's collection.

• Early Statecraft and Buddhism: Structures of Power and Faith [Princeton University Art Museum]
An excellent short overview of the Kofun period, as well as the Asuka, Hakuho, and Nara periods.

• Early Japan (50,000 BC - 710 AD) [About Japan: A Teacher's Resource]
An overview of Japanese history from 50,000 BCE to 710 CE. Section 4 is about the Kofun Period.

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• Japan, 500-1000 A.D. [Timeline of Art History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art]
"The introduction of Buddhism to the Japanese archipelago from China and Korea in the sixth century causes momentous changes amounting to a fundamentally different way of life for the Japanese. Along with the foreign faith, Japan establishes and maintains for 400 years close connections with the Chinese and Korean courts and adopts a more sophisticated culture." With a period overview, list of key events, and five related artworks.

• Asuka and Nara Periods [Timeline of Art History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art]
A short introduction, with images of three artworks in the museum's collection.

• Early Statecraft and Buddhism: Structures of Power and Faith [Princeton University Art Museum]
An excellent short overview of the Asuka period, as well as the Kofun, Hakuho, and Nara periods.

• Early Japan (50,000 BC - 710 AD) [About Japan: A Teacher's Resource]
An overview of Japanese history from 50,000 BCE to 710 CE. Section 5 is about the Asuka period (called the Yamato period in this article).

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• Japanese Buddhism [The Art of Asia, Minneapolis Institute of Arts]
A short video about Buddhism in Japan. An illustrated transcript of this video is also available online.

• Buddhism in Japan [Asia Society]
"A short history of Buddhism, with special focus on its introduction and development in Japan. Includes an exploration of Zen Buddhism and art imagery."

• The Origins of Buddhism [Asia Society]
"A short essay that explores how Buddhism grew out of Hinduism and spread from India to the rest of Asia. How does Buddhism vary from place to place, sect to sect? Learn about how the spread of ideas combine of new beliefs with existing thoughts and practices."

Interactive Map • The Spread of Buddhism [Pacific Asia Museum]
To access the map from the main page of this Flash website, select any of the four topics, then select 'Timeline & Map' from the menubar at the bottom of the page. A timeline-map of the Buddha's life will appear first. Select 'Spread of Buddhism' at the bottom-right to get to the interactive timeline-map showing the spread of Buddhism. There is also a PDF version of the map available on the HTML version of the website.

AFE Special Topic Guide • Buddhism [OMuRAA, Asia for Educators]
AFE's compilation of recommended resources about Buddhism on OMuRAA, Online Museum Resources on Asian Art.

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