The Dawn of Japan: Women in the Asuka Period

Japan was established as a state in the Asuka Period (592-710AD) during which time there were many female empresses. Many of these women made significant contributions to the artistic, religious, and political transformations of the time, including the founding the new capital, the establishment of diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, and the enactment of laws such as, the Taiho-ritsuryo (Taiho Code).
Women created and honed new forms of expression in Japan in the fields of politics, culture, and religion.
For example,women poets composed waka while at the same time female priests disseminated the lessons of the Buddha.
Asuka represents the dawning of Japan as a nation state in which women actively flourished and whose achievements continue to influence life in contemporary Japan.