History

In America we have a very different view of history than the rest of the world, it might be because as a country we have only existed for less than 250 years. For example, when we look back on the Civil War, a mere 150 years ago, it is not only history to Americans, it is ancient history, but in Japan the scope of its history is nothing less than amazing.

Much like the Queen of England, the line of Emperors in Japan still exists intact to this day. But where the first King of England, Alfred the Great took "office" around AD900, the first Japanese Emperor, Emperor Jimmu, founded Japan way back in 660BC, pre-dating the oldest, still existing, Western Monarchy by about 1,500 years! Imagine being able to trace your family tree back over 2,600 years!

What was happening around the world at about the same time as Japan was founded? The Jews fled to Egypt as the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple in Jerusalem; the Greek poet, Homer, wrote the epic poems, The Odyssey and The Iliad and in Ancient Rome the Etruscans were overthrown and Rome became a Republic. That is how long Japan has been Japan, not only in name, like Egypt, Greece and Rome, but how long the line of Emperors have existed; it would be like having the line of Pharaohs still existing in Egypt today.

It is not only its ruling class that have existed in Japan for thousands of years, even family owned businesses have existed longer in Japan than most countries in Europe. Take for instance the family owned company of Kongo Gumi (pictured). It was started way back in AD578 and passed down from generation to generation for over 1,400 years until it was absorbed by the Takamatsu Corporation in 2006. Imagine this humble family business of shrine builders has a longer history than Queen Elizabeth!

I can almost understand how for hundreds of years, Japan wanted nothing to do with the west; we must've seemed like a group of young upstart countries to them that would come and go in such a short time that forming alliances would seem pointless.

I hope you took notes; there will be a test on Friday.