Did the Japanese people evolve from the Chinese?

Question

I heard the Japanese were formed after this Chinese King sent these soldiers to find some tree of life or something, and not to return until they find it. They couldn't find it so they never returned. They then just made home in what is now Japan.

I think all East asians were once Chinese. They just steal the Chinese culture and make it their own.

Answer 1

The generally accepted answer to this question in the anthropological community (as I understand it) is that Man originated in the fertile cresent region of the middle east then migrated away from there in every direction. It is not exactly correct to say the Japanese "evolved" from the Chinese because that suggests some kind of evolutionary change, but the people traveling east from the fertile crescent certainly came to the land area of present day china before they reached Japan, which is farther east.

What most anthropologists seem to think is that during the last ice age the sea level was lower so that Japan was connected to mainland asia by a land bridge now underwater. People living in China migrated across this land bridge and settled during the Jomon era. After the land bridge disappeared, Japanese culture and language diverged from Chinese, because the two countries were separated by the Japan Sea.

After trade was established with China (in the Yayoi era I think) Chinese culture along with goods were imported as well, especially architecture, traditional art forms, and written language. Until hiragana was invented in the early Heian era (I believe) all early Japanese writing was done in Classical Chinese. After the developement of kana the Japanese began writing in their own language as well.

So the answer to your question is both yes and no. Yes, the earliest Japanese did come from the area now known as China, but they did not "steal" chinese culture any more than American's stole pizza or the christmas tree. Japan adopted many chinese traditions, but continued to maintain their own indigenous culture as well.

Answer 2

You heard wrong.

The Japanese and Chinese may share the same ancestry (depending on how far back you want to go) and the old Japanese culture was heavily influenced by the Chinese culture, but by the time the Chinese had the technology to build ocean-going ships, there were already a lot of people in Japan.

Answer 3

I'm not sure if Japanese peole evolved from the Chinese, but China was not always as big as it is now. I think that asian countries overall use one anothers cultures and make it their own. There were so many history in the world and that place ruled that place, that there are surely always a circle of new beliefs and culture to be added on. I don't think you can just say that East asians took their cultures from the Chinese.

Answer 4

Are you serious? China is not the only Asian country. Most countries probably never even heard of China! Some languages may use Chinese writing (but they alter it) but that does not mean they stole it.

I'm guessing you are Chinese?

I'm not saying this offensively, I'm just saying that I think it's a bit selfish that you only see China in your eye and accuse other East Asian countries of stealing it's customs and such... look into the facts before you make up your assumptions.

All cultures, Asian or not, look into each other and borrow and lend things...

Answer 5

This is actually a very good question (except for the part about stealing the Chinese culture). In fact there is any one accepted answer.
There are many theories on the origins of the Japanese people starting with plate tectonics. Other theories are based on language and other theories say each Japanese prefectur (state) has a different origin for its people.

You can learn more here:
http://www.kimsoft.com/2004/jp-origin.htm
http://www.jref.com/culture/origins_japanese_people.shtml
http://www.keikyo.com/books/hada/The_Origin_of_the_Japanese.html (I am less thrilled with this source)

Answer 6

Their writing system definitely come from Chinese. Japanese have a myth saying they descend from gods. Don't know how many believe this.

Answer 7

There are only 3 real nationality's and they came from the children of Ham, Shem and Japheth.
We are their decedents.

Answer 8

yes because to get to japan back then you need to get a boat and row there from china

Answer 9

Are you really that stupid??