Final answer:
The earliest Chinese influence on Japanese culture was during the Kofun period, notably with the introduction of Buddhism. The Heian period is often cited as the golden age of Chinese influence on Japanese art, with significant advancements in techniques and styles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Earliest Chinese Influence on Japanese Culture
The earliest Chinese influence on Japanese culture and thus on Japanese art can be traced back to the Kofun period (circa 300 CE to 538 CE).
This era was marked by an intensification of cultural exchange between Japan and the neighboring Korean peninsula, which served as a conduit for Chinese cultural influences, including Confucianism, written language, and Buddhism.
The recorded introduction of Buddhism in Japan during the Kofun period came about when King Seong of Baekje sent Buddhist scriptures and a statue of Buddha to Japan either in 538 or 552.
Subsequently, the Asuka period (538 CE to 710 CE) and the Nara period (710 CE to 794 CE) saw the further assimilation of Chinese influences into Japanese society, including the adoption of the Chinese writing system and government structure.
However, it is the latter part of classical Japanese history known as the Heian Period (794 CE to 1185 CE), which is often regarded as the golden age of Chinese influence on Japanese culture. This was when Japanese art truly began to blossom with the aid of Chinese techniques, particularly in painting and writing.