Thus ended the interesting period of history in which active relations, first with Korea, and then with China, began to produce in Japan a direct, profound effect upon her society and politics. Agents of the advanced civilization were liberally introduced, and, in the midst of this process, a grave crisis which was about to overcome the central institutions of the state system was averted only by an anomalous act of a few patriots. It was these latter who inaugurated in the next period the grand work of reconstructing the entire system of government and administration after the pattern of Chinese institutions. The continental civilization in all its refinement was then even more eagerly studied around the capital than before, while the country at large, under the unforeseen effects of these artificial reforms, passed gradually into a still later period of her history. Before taking up the story of the reform period, we as usual subjoin a table of the sovereigns of the period which has been under review in this chapter. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF SOVEREIGNS. 14. Emperor Chūai, 192-270 A. D. (including the 69 years of the regency of Empress Jingō-kōgō). | 15. Emperor Ojin, 270-313. | 16. Emperor Nintoku, 313-400. | 17. Emperor Richū,--18. Emperor Hanshō,--19. Emperor Inkyō, 400-405. 405-411. 411-453. | | | +----------------+ | | Prince Ichinobe Oshiiwa. 20. Emperor Ankō,--21. Emperor Yūryaku, | 453-456. 456-480. | | | 22. Emperor Seinei. 23. Emperor Kensō,--24. Emperor Ninken, 488-499. 480-485. 485-488. | 25. Emperor Buretsu, 499-507. (Emperor Ojin.) | (Emperor Nintoku.)--Prince Wakamikenofutamata. | Prince Ōhito. | Prince Hikouishi. | 26. Emperor Keitai, 507-534. | +---------------+ | 27. Emperor Ankan,--28. Emperor Senkwa,--29. Emperor Kimmei, 540-572. 534-536. 536-540. | +----------------------------------------+ | 30. Emperor Bidatsu,--31. Emperor Yōmei,--32. Emperor Susun,--33. Empress 572-586. 586-588. 588-591. Suiko, | 591-629. | Prince Oshisakahiko-nushibito. | +----------+ | 34. Emperor Shōmei, 629-642.--Prince Chinu. | 35. Empress Kōkyoku, 642-645. Chapter IV