Japan's History

By James Liao
  • 710

    The First Capital is Established at Nara

    Originally known as Yamoto, Nara was Japan’s first capital and the seat of the Emperor.
  • 794

    Start of the Heian Period

    It was the last division of classical Japanese history and was when Chinese influences were at their highest.
  • 1185

    Minamoto no Yoritomo Becomes the First Shogun in Japan

    He ruled 1192-1199 and was founder of the Kamakura shogunate.
  • 1467

    Beginning of the Warring States Period

    It lasted for over a decade and was similar to the Warring States period in ancient China.
  • 1543

    First Contact Between Japanese and Europeans and Beginning of Trade

    Items such as firearms were traded into Japan which meant more advanced warfare.
  • 1573

    The Azuchi-Momoyama Period Begins

    It was the last phase of the Sengoku period and was a time of political unification.

  • The Beginning of the Tokugawa Shogunate

    It was the last feudal Japanese military government which existed in 1603 to 1868.

  • The Sakoku ("closed country") Period Begins

    Nearly every single foreign force coming was strictly prohibited and access by other countries are restricted.

  • The Arrival of the United States Navy Fleet Commanded by Matthew Perry

    It aims to break the isolation period and allow other countries to access Japan in various ways.

  • The Meiji Restoration

    It was an event that restored practical imperial rule to the Empire of Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji.