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Japan is an island nation located off the coast of continental East Asia. Its history extends back to the Jomon period around 14,000 B.C., characterized by the creation of some of the world's earliest pottery. The country has seen a succession of powerful rulers and periods, including the Heian period (794-1185), during which court life and aesthetics flourished, culminating in the Tale of Genji, penned by Lady Murasaki Shikibu, one of Japan's most renowned literary figures. The subsequent Kamakura period marked the rise of the samurai class and saw the establishment of the first shogunate under Minamoto no Yoritomo, a pivotal figure in Japanese military history. Japan entered an era of isolation during the Edo period (1603-1868) under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate, only to be thrust into rapid modernization during the Meiji Restoration, led by Emperor Meiji. The 20th century saw Japan's expansionist ambitions lead to World War II, followed by post-war occupation and transformation into an economic powerhouse. Despite periods of upheaval, Japan has maintained a unique cultural identity, balancing tradition and modernity, deeply influencing global culture and technology.
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The regions of Japan
- Hokkaido: This is the northernmost region of Japan, and it consists of one prefecture, also called Hokkaido.
- Tohoku: Located in the northeastern part of Honshu, the largest island of Japan, this region includes six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima.
- Kanto: This is the most populated region of Japan, which includes the Tokyo metropolis and six other prefectures: Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa.
- Chubu: This region, located in the middle of Honshu, is often subdivided into three sub-regions (Tokai, Koshinetsu, and Hokuriku). The Chubu region contains nine prefectures: Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, and Aichi.
- Kansai (also known as Kinki): This region, which includes the cities of Kyoto and Osaka, consists of seven prefectures: Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, and Wakayama.
- Chugoku: Located on the western part of Honshu, this region includes five prefectures: Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi.
- Shikoku: This is the smallest of Japan's four major islands, and it consists of four prefectures: Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kochi.
- Kyushu (including Okinawa): This is the southernmost region of Japan. It consists of seven prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima. In addition, the Okinawa Prefecture, which includes numerous islands to the south of Kyushu, is often included in this region.
Japanese geography
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Researching family history in Japan
See also:
- Japanese genealogy
- Japanese immigration
- Japanese emigration
- Japanese archives
- Vital records in Japan
- Birth records in Japan
- Death records in Japan
- Marriage records in Japan
- Census records in Japan
- Civil registrations in Japan
- Church records in Japan
- Newspaper records in Japan
- Military records in Japan
Japanese ethnicity
Japan is often perceived as a homogenous society with a dominant ethnic group, the Yamato, who form the majority of the population. However, there are several distinct minority ethnic groups within the country. The Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan, particularly Hokkaido, have a unique language and cultural heritage. The Ryukyuan people, from the Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa, also have their distinct language and traditions. Furthermore, there are the Burakumin, a social minority group with historical roots in the outcast community. Japan also has residents and naturalized citizens of Korean, Chinese, and Brazilian descent, largely due to immigration and historical labor migration. Despite their smaller numbers, these groups contribute to the diverse cultural mosaic of Japan.
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Japanese surnames
Japanese surnames, also known as "myōji," are an essential aspect of researching family history in Japan. With over 100,000 surnames, they often carry significant historical and geographic implications. For example, Tomimoto Kenkichi, a famous Japanese ceramic artist, had a shortened form of his surname that translates to "surname and sword". These surnames were widely adopted during the Meiji era (1868–1912) when the government mandated their use for census and taxation purposes. Understanding the meaning and origin of a surname can provide insights into ancestral locations and societal status. For instance, some surnames are derived from geographic features or occupations. However, changes in surnames due to social mobility, adoption, or marriage can pose challenges in tracing lineage. This is a common theme in Shinran's writings, where the disjunction between appearance and reality is a regular motif. Therefore, while Japanese surnames are a fascinating element of Japanese genealogy, they can also be complex to navigate.
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