Detail of japanese decoration of a dragon in silver

Japan

Much of Japan’s early culture was imported via Korea from the great civilisation of the Tang dynasty of China (AD 608-907). Chinese characters, which are the basis of written Japanese, and a great deal of the social structure were imported.

All the armour and weaponry associated with the medieval Samurai have their origins on mainland Asia at this time.

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A flash in the pan

This expression originates with the misfire of a flintlock or similar gun. The powder in the pan was supposed to ignite the main charge in the barrel. Sometimes only the powder in the pan flashed without firing the main charge.