This work delves into the role and social status of women in the early beginnings Japan.  From the ancient Jomon culture to the Heian period, this work will bring to light the lives of the ancient Japanese women based on available texts and artifacts uncovered from these periods.  This work will trace the rise and fall of the early Japanese women, from the Early Goddess Worship of the Jomon, through to the beginnings of Japanese society and  the Empress Suiko, their subsequent exclusion from the new Buddhist religion, and ending with the introduction of Amida Buddhism. 

It becomes clear that, throughout chronicled history, the women of ancient Japan were treated for the most part as equals.  This seems to extend from the early Jomon people of Japan right down to the Heian period, thus indicating that the original Jomon people of Japan were not totally wiped out by the migrating Yayoi of northern China, but were partially assimilated into the Yayoi culture. 

For more information: 

• Please see the bibliography