The Yayoi period (approximately 300 BCE to 300 CE) is a significant era in Japanese history, marked by the introduction of rice cultivation and metalworking. This period followed the Jomon period and is characterized by advancements in agriculture, which led to the establishment of more permanent settlements. The Yayoi people are known for their distinctive pottery, which features smooth surfaces and simple designs. During the Yayoi period, social structures became more complex, with the emergence of chiefdoms and increased trade. The use of bronze and iron tools improved farming and daily life. This era laid the foundation for the later Kofun period, which saw the rise of powerful clans and the construction of large burial mounds.