Understanding Japan: A Cultural History Season 1 Episode 3 The Emergence of the Ritsuryo State

The Emergence of the Ritsuryo State, the third episode of Understanding Japan: A Cultural History season 1, delves into Japan's transition from a tribal society to a centralized state during the Nara period. This episode explores how the Ritsuryo system - a legislative and administrative system modeled after China's Tang Dynasty - was established and its impact on Japanese society.

The episode begins by highlighting the turbulent period of the 7th and 8th centuries in Japan, where feuding clans battled for power and the imperial court was fraught with corruption and instability. Against this backdrop, the Ritsuryo system emerged as a way to centralize and stabilize governance.

The Ritsuryo system was a comprehensive set of laws and regulations that covered all aspects of society, from taxation to criminal justice. The episode explains the origins of the Ritsuryo system, which was modelled after the Tang Dynasty's legal code, and how it was implemented in Japan.

Through expert interviews and historical reenactments, the episode explores how the Ritsuryo system transformed Japan's social and political landscape. It shows how the establishment of a centralized state created opportunities for new social elites, such as the aristocracy and bureaucratic officials. The show explains how these elites used culture and religion to justify their authority and create a shared sense of identity among the population.

The episode also examines the Ritsuryo system's impact on women and lower classes. It highlights how the system codified and restricted women's roles in society, and how it exacerbated inequalities between the wealthy and the poor. However, the show also notes how the system created opportunities for upward mobility for people of low status, such as the creation of a national examination system that allowed talented individuals to rise through the ranks of the bureaucracy.

The Emergence of the Ritsuryo State concludes by examining the legacy of the Ritsuryo system and its impact on modern Japan. It shows how elements of the system, such as the use of imperial rituals and the hierarchical social structure, continue to shape Japanese culture and society. It also notes how the system's focus on harmony and consensus-building continues to be a defining feature of Japanese politics and social organization.

Overall, The Emergence of the Ritsuryo State is a rich and engaging exploration of a critical period in Japanese history. Through beautiful cinematography, historical reenactments, and expert interviews, it offers an insightful and accessible look at how Japan transitioned from a tribal society to a centralized state. The episode provides a nuanced understanding of the Ritsuryo system and its impact on Japanese culture and society, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in Japanese history and culture.