Throughout her history until the Meiji Revolution (1867–68) Japan was under the influence of Chinese culture; cultural stimuli and encouragement came from China either directly or through Korea. By adapting the imported culture to her own cultural heritage and to local conditions Japan was able to pursue her own unique development. Nevertheless, a huge cultural gap persisted between the two countries, and Japan had constantly to repeat the process of importing, digesting and amending Chinese culture in order to advance her own level of learning and civilisation. As is well known, after the Meiji Revolution a similar process occurred between Japan and the Western countries as she developed her culture and economy by importing their science and technology.

Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism all came to Japan (from China via Korea) almost simultaneously in about the sixth century. In those times there were, apart from the imperial clan, two groups of clans, whose chieftains were called Muraji and Omi respectively. Muraji clans were in hereditary vassalage to the imperial clan and served the Emperor in religious affairs and the production of ecclesiastical and ceremonial ware, and in defence, according to the duties specific to each clan. Omi clans, however, were not originally the Emperor's lieges. In early history Omi clans held their own territories independent of the Emperor, but were later subjected to imperial rule. Leaders of powerful clans were called Ō-muraji (great Muraji), or Ō-omi (great Omi, which, if written in Chinese characters, means ‘cabinet minister’ in modern Japanese); the imperial clan already reigned over both these clans in the fourth century.