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Period: 250 to 538
Kofun Period
Named after the large burial mounds used during the time -
Period: 538 to 710
Asuka Period
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Period: 710 to 794
Nara Period
The control of central government was increased by heightened military presence. Buddhism was further spread by emperor Shomu's project to build a temple in every province. This caused taxes to be greatly increased -
Period: 794 to 1185
Heian Period
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Period: 1192 to
Shoguns ruled Japan
The shoguns were army generals. Originally, they were chosen and controlled by the emperor, but eventually the Shoguns ruled Japan and the emperor was merely a figurehead. -
Period: 1192 to 1333
Kamakura shogunate
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1274
Mongols invaded Japan
During this time, the Mongols controlled much of Europe and Asia. The first time they attempted to invade Japan, a strong wind destroyed many of their ships. -
1281
Mongols invaded Japan second time
The second time the Mongols attempted to invade, they brought a much larger fleet; however, the Japanese had been preparing by training soldiers and building a wall. "We're gonna build a wall!"
The battle lasted for several weeks but ended wihen a typhoon came through. The Japanese believed it was a divine wind, or 'Kamikaze'. -
Period: 1338 to 1573
Muromachi shogunate
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Period: to
Tokugawa shogunate
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Arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry
Commodore Matthew Perry traveled to Japan in hope of opening Japan up to trade. -
Second Visit from Commodore Matthew Perry
After Commodore Matthew's two visits, Japanese merchants were permitted to trade with other countries. This caused further questioning of the Shoguns and eventually the end of the shogun era. -
Return of Emperors to Power
Imperial rule was returned to Japan through the emperor Meiji in 1868. This was the beginning of the Meiji restoration, where Japan absorbed all the modern technology of the west.