This map shows the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Shilla in relation to neighboring regions.
At this time, the Chinese lands were in disarray, under the control of the "Northern and Southern Dynasties" which waxed and waned in short periods of time with no one dynasty able to successfully gain long-lasting control and stability. The "Northern Dynasties" controlled the north region and collectively are referred to as "Bei-Chao." Capitals shifted during this time; in the Northern Wei Dynasty, the capital was at Pingcheng (Datong) and then moved to Luoyang. Chang'an was the old capital of the Han court and had served as a major center of politics, economics, and culture for many centuries. Though the political administration was frail, Chinese culture remained very strong, continuing to influence the Korean kingdoms and Japan.
Japan in the 5th century was in the middle of the Kofun Period, a time when the Yamato court had begun to become more established. In early Japanese history, capitals frequently moved around until more permanent ones were established at Heijou (Nara) and then Heian (Kyoto), but during the fourth century, the seat of Yamato power was at Naniwa (Osaka). Culture and ideas from the mainland flowed into Japan via the Korean peninsula.
In the Korean areas, Baekje was in retreat in the wake of Goguryeo's aggressive expansionism. Goguryeo was a major power, expanding its territories greatly and succesfully surviving attacks from the nomadic Xianbei rulers of the Northern Wei Dynasty in northeastern China. Shilla was a rising power, preparing itself to flex its muscles and eventually conquer the Gaya States in the 6th century. Shilla's capital was at Geumseong, which later became Gyeongju. Jeju Island was an independent kingdom called "Tamna;" it had ties to the Korean mainland as well as China and Japan.
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