The Yayoi period is sometimes regarded as the Japanese Bronze Age. This is not strictly true, as iron was in widespread use and Japan accordingly never had a true bronze age. However, the Yayoi period succeeded the stone-age Jomon period, and was itself followed by the iron-dominated Kofun period, during which a new potent force entered Japanese history: the armoured cavalryman. The Japanese of the Yayoi period, in contrast, lacked horses, and the period was long seen as more peaceful than later centuries.
Publications of Michael Fredholm
