History Timeline of Japanese History Jomon period: Before 300 BC The early Japanese were hunters, gatherers, and fishers. Yayoi period: 300 BC – 300 AD Introduction of rice agriculture and the unifying of small countries into larger countries.

Kofun period: 300 – 538 AD. Japan for the first time is more or less unified. Larger tombs are built for deceased leaders (Kofuns)

Asuka period: 538 –710 AD. 538 – 552 introduction of Buddhism. 604 – Prince Shotoku’s Constitution of 17 articles is written PRINCE SHOTOKU

Nara period: 710 – 784 AD 710 -Nara becomes the first permanent capital The capital moves to Nagaoka.

Heian period: 794 – 1185 AD 794- The capital moves to Heian (Kyoto). 838-Official contact with China stops Fujiwara Michinaga becomes regent The Taira clan takes control after the Heiji War and becomes the most powerful clan in Medieval Japan The Minamoto clan ends the reign of the Taira clan after the Gempei Wars

Kamakura period: 1192 – 1333 AD – The Zen sect is introduced (from China) stressing meditation and spiritual strength Minamoto Yoritomo is appointed shogun and establishes the Kamakura government A legal code is introduced and The Mongols try to invade Japan but fail because of a great storm (divine wind - “Kamikaze”) – The Kamakura government falls

Muromachi period: AD 1338 After continued civil war Takauji establishes the Muromachi government and a second emperor in Kyoto 1392-Unification of the Northern and Southern courts Onin War (great civil war) Sengoku Jidai (Era of “Country at War”) Portuguese traders introduce firearms Oda Nobunaga enters Kyoto as new leader.

Azuchi-Momoyama period: AD 1575 – The Takeda clan is defeated in the battle of Nagashino 1582-Nobunaga is murdered and succeeded by Toyotmi Hideyoshi – foundation of modern nation of Japan formed 1588-The “sword hunt” ends when Hideyoshi takes away the weapons of religious institutions and farmers increasing the power of a central government. ODAWARA CASTLE

1590- Japan is reunified after the fall of Odawara (Hojo) –Japanese unsuccessful invasion of Korea 1600-Tokugawa Ieyasu defeats his rivals in the Battle of Sekigahara

Edo period: AD Ieyasu is appointed shogun and establishes the Tokugawa government in Edo (Tokyo) Ieyasu intensifies the persecution of Christians yet establishes trade relations with the English and Dutch The Toyotomi clan is destroyed after Ieyasu captures Osaka Castle. OSAKA CASTLE

1639-Japan isolates itself from the world. Only the port of Nagasaki open to trade. Japanese couldn’t travel outside of Japan The Russians try to establish relations with Japan but fail U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry forces the Japanese government to open a limited number of trade ports and trade relations with the United States. MATTHEW PERRY

Meiji period: AD The Meiji restoration. Meiji means “enlightened rule” and this era saw the modernization of Japan following western ways. Emphasis in building a strong military/navy with the help of the British First railway line established between Tokyo and Yokohama

1889 The Meiji Constitution is written Sino (Chinese)- Japanese War (Japanese victory) Russian-Japanese War (Japan defeats Russia, Korea is under the control of Japan) 1910-Annexation of Korea Death of Emperor Meiji Japan’s modernization The Russian fleet is destroyed 1905

Taisho period: Japan joins allied forces (Great Britain, France, United States) in World War I 1923 The Great Kanto Earthquake destroys Tokyo and Yokohama GREAT KANTO EARTHQUAKE

Showa period: AD Manchurian incident – Japan and China prepare for war against each other Second China-Japanese War starts and the Japanese invade China controlling most of Manchuria Attack on Pearl Harbor Japan enters into war against the Americans and British Japan surrenders after two atomic bombs destroy the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. World War II leaves Japan in ruins. Pearl Harbor under attack Destruction of Hiroshima

1946- Japan forms a new government under a new Constitution. The emperor loses all political and military power. With American support, Korea gains independence from Japan The Allied Occupation of Japan ends yet American soldiers remain stationed on American bases Japan becomes a member of the United Nations. Japanese surrendered aboard the American battle ship Missouri Japan joins the United Nations in an attempt to end future wars

Heisei period: 1989 – The Hanshin earthquake hits Kobe 2002 – Japan / Korea host the FIFA World Cup 2011 – Massive earthquake hits Northern Japan followed by a destructive Tsunami Olympic games held in Tokyo ’s – Japanese economic boom Japan and China normalize relations.