The Dark Year of 536 and Its Impact on Japanese Kofun Construction: A Multidimensional Study on Climate, Food Security, and Religious Transformation

This study examines the historical impact of the Dark Year of 536 CE on the social and cultural development of ancient Japan (Wa-koku). Utilizing historical records, such as the Nihon Shoki, and archaeological evidence from Kofun tombs, this paper argues that the sudden climatic cooling and famine acted as a catalyst for social transformation. The analysis highlights three main effects: the centralization of food security systems through official granaries, the shift from monumental to clustered tomb construction, and the accelerated adoption of Buddhism as a spiritual pillar. This multidisciplinary approach integrates climate science, archaeology, and history to shed light on a pivotal moment in early Japanese state formation.