6.18 The far east: a.d. 401 to 500

The far east

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China and manchuria (northern and southern dynasties)

The ruling Toba Wei had become completely Sinicized by this time and had carried out a redistribution of land to bring more under cultivation and rehabilitate the economy in northern China. The southern dynasty, the Eastern Chin, pushed northward regaining access through Kansu to the central Asian trade routes but through court intrigues and usurpations there was an ever increasingly weaker series of dynasties, including Sung (42?-429) and southern Ch'i (479-502). Even so, these southerners, considering themselves the saviors of the old Han civilization, absorbed most of the aboriginal peoples of the south China area into the Chinese mainstream, as Buddhism became the predominant intellectual and religious force. (Ref. 101 )

There was also intense activity in philosophical as well as religious thought. Taoism broke into sects and never became a unified religion. Ch'an Buddhism (similar to Japanese Zen) was brought to China allegedly by Bodhidharama. Chinese junks sailed regularly to the head of the Persian Gulf with cargoes for Babylon, although little or no apparent exchange of ideas and techniques occurred between east and west. The junks, for many centuries, had had single rudders, water tight compartments and staterooms, all far advanced inventions not used by westerners for up to 1,600 years later. The ships carried fresh ginger growing in pots and thus unknowingly prevented scurvy. (Ref. 8 , 215 , 211 )

Japan

The mausoleum constructed for Emperor Nintoku, who may have died in 427

Korea

The Three Kingdoms period continued. King Changsu brought Kogurya to the height of its power and moved the capital from the Yalu River to P'yongyang. Silla continued expansion in the south. (Ref. 222 )

Southeast asia

No important changes from the last century have been identified from the literature and the reader is referred to those previous centuries.

Forward to The Far East: A.D. 501 to 600

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