Great Nihon is a phrase commonly used to refer to Japan in ancient times. The correct phonetic spelling for Nihon is /nihoɴ/ using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The "ni" sound is a nasal vowel and the "ho" sound is an aspirated consonant. In Japanese writing systems, the word for Japan is written as "日本" which directly translates to "sun origin" and is pronounced as "Nippon" or "Nihon" in Japanese. The word "Great" is added to emphasize the importance and grandeur of the country.
Great Nihon is a term widely used to refer to the historical period of Japan between the 6th and 12th centuries. It was a time of significant political and cultural changes, marking the emergence of a centralized government and the development of distinctive Japanese artistic and social practices. More specifically, it denotes the eras of Nara (710-794) and Heian (794-1185).
During the Great Nihon period, Japan experienced a profound transformation as it moved away from tribal governance towards a more unified state. The establishment of the Imperial Court in Nara laid the foundation for a centralized authority, with a codified legal system, administrative bureaucracy, and an emphasis on Confucian principles. The subsequent Heian period witnessed the flourishing of aristocratic culture, with etiquette, literature, and arts playing a central role in society.
Great Nihon saw the influence of Buddhism, which expanded rapidly, leaving a deep impact on the belief systems, art, and architecture of the era. It was also renowned for the development of waka poetry, exemplified by the famous anthology "Manyoshu," and the emergence of the uniquely Japanese art forms of calligraphy, tea ceremonies, and flower arrangement.
Overall, Great Nihon represents a formative period in Japanese history characterized by significant political changes, cultural innovation, and the crystallization of distinctive traditions that would continue to shape Japan for centuries to come.
The term "Great Nihon" does not have an established etymology as it is not a common phrase or name. However, it seems to possibly be a combination of two separate elements:
1. "Great": The word "great" originates from the Old English word "grēat", which meant "big" or "large". It has been used to denote superiority, importance, or excellence in various contexts.
2. "Nihon" or "Nippon": These are alternative terms for Japan, derived from the ancient Japanese language. The exact etymology of "Nihon" is not completely understood, but there are a few theories. One possibility is that it originated from the word "Niho" or "Niwa" meaning "sun", possibly referring to Japan's location to the east of China and its association with the rising sun.