Japan under the Shoguns By rchalmers Oct 27, 794 Kammu makes Heian (Kyoto) his capital and Heian period begins Oct 26, 1000 first Japanese novels appear Oct 26, 1160 The start of Japan's Medieval Period Oct 26, 1185 Zen Buddhism introduced to Japan Oct 26, 1281 Japan drives back Mongol invasion Oct 26, 1336 Japan has its first contact with Europe Oct 27, 1549 Christian missionaries arrived in Japan Oct 26, 1603 Japan bans foreigners and access to foreign goods and literature Oct 27, 1606 Anti-Christian decrees were proclaimed Oct 27, 1610 Missionaries expelled from Japan Oct 27, 1853 Commodore Matthew Perry (US) arrives in Japan, beginning the end of Japan's isolation from the rest of the world Oct 26, 1867 Prince Mutsuhito becomes emperor (the first to have real authority since the start of the Medieval period) Period: Oct 27, 1868 to Oct 28, 1912 Meiji Restoration Oct 27, 1889 The Meiji Constitution is established as the law of Government in Japan