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400
Pottery
The Japanese learn how to create grey pottery from the Korean potters, using a potter's wheel and kiln. -
Jan 1, 1180
Genpei War
The two most powerful clans, the Taira and the Minamoto clans, begin fighting for control of Japan. The war lasted for five years, and resulted in the Minamoto clan gaining complete control over the country, and it starts the feudal period of Japan, with a feudal system similar to that of Europe. -
Jan 1, 1192
Japan Unites Under Minamoto no Yoritomo
Seven years after the end of the Genpei War, the Minamoto clan, having destroyed the Taira clan, united Japan for the first time under a single Shogun, Minamoto no Yorimoto. -
Jan 1, 1274
Mongol Invasions
Mongols invade Japan in an attempt to conquer it and spread their control. The Mongols had an advantage, due to the fact that they completely ignored Japanese traditions regarding warfar, and they came extremely close to winning, on two separate occasions (in 1274 and in 1281), however do to poor ship design and typhoons, the Mongols suffered heavy casualties and it gave Japan the edge they needed to defeat their invaders. -
Charter Oath
Emperor Meiji, upon his ascension to the throne, sets into place the Charter Oath, essentially the first constitution of Japan. The Oath signified a change towards a more democratic nation (to a degree... in actuality it marked the beginning of the Japanese Empire) - this document, even today, is one of the most significant and influential documents in Japanese history. -
First Sino-Japanese War
Japan and China fought over the indepencence of Korea. There had been tension in the area, and Japan wanted it if not in their control, then at least out of China's control. Japan won, and China allowed Korea to become and independent nation, and they gave Japan Taiwan, the Penghu Islands, and about 650 million yen. Japan became a world power in the eyes of the world, and China ended up reforming its government as a result of the war. -
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
Seeking to effectively disable the United States Pacific Fleet, Japan attacked the naval base on Pearl Harbor, destroying massive amounts of military ships and planes, and causing over 3.6 thousand U.S. casualties, compared to a measly 65 Japanese casualties. Ironically, the intent of the atttack was to keep the United States out of the war; however, the surprise attack was a shock to the isolationist nation, and it basically forced Americans into the war. -
"Little Boy" in Hiroshima
The United States, having threatened (along with the rest of the U.N., in the Potsdom Declaration) to cause the "complete destruction of the Japanese armed forces and... the utter devastation of the Japanese homeland" to no avail, dropped the first of two atomic weapons that would be used during World War II on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Nicknamed "Little Boy," the uranium based bomb killed between 90,000 and 170,000 Japanese civilians and soldiers. -
"Fat Man" in Nagasaki
Following the atomic destruction of Hiroshima, the United States dropped a second nuclear weapon on the city of Nagasaki. Named "Fat Man," the bomb caused far fewer casualties, resulting in only 60-80 thousand, compared to the 90-170 thousand killed in Hiroshima. The bomb was the last nuclear weapon used in combat to date. -
Japan Surrenders
Six days after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan finally surrenders to the Allied forces, ending World War II. The country adopts a new constitution, and it becomes a democratic nation as opposed to an Empire. -
2011 Tōhoku Earthquake
A magnitude 9 earthquake occured off the coast of Japan, causing massive damage as well as several other extremely damaging aftershocks and tsunami waves. It was the fifth largest recorded earthquake in history. Over 15,000 people have been confirmed dead as a result of the devastation, and another 8,000 are missing. It also caused meltdowns at the Fukushima power plants, and efforts are still being made to clean up the mess. -
Buddhism
Buddhism was introduced to Japan, and it became one of their dominant religions, endorced by the upper class. Even today, Buddhism is an important part of Japanese culture.
