---
node: asuka
type: period
slug: asuka_period
title: "Asuka period"
lead: "The Asuka period brought the first codified court dress: the Twelve Cap Ranks of 603 marked an official's grade by the color of his cap, and Chinese-style robes were adopted at court along with Buddhism and continental statecraft."
published: 2026-07-27
updated: 2026-07-27
---

## Overview

In 603 Prince Shotoku's court established the kan'i junikai, ranking officials in twelve grades each signaled by a distinct cap color. It was the first time in Japan that dress was tied by law to office and rank.

## Key garments and style

Court officials took up Tang-influenced robes, and Buddhist monastic dress (the kesa and robes) entered with the new religion. Everyday commoner dress remained the simple wrapped garments of earlier centuries.

## Transition

The ritsuryo state that followed extended these rules into the fuller clothing code of the Nara period.