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The first official capital of Japan is based in the city of Nara and is led by the Imperial Family. -
It is known as the Nara period due to the fact that the capital of Japan was Nara
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The capital of Japan is moved to the city of Heian-Kyo, modern day Kyoto, under the orders of Emperor Kammu, ending the Nara period -
It is known as the Heian period because Japans capital was moved to the city of Heian-Kyo
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The Minamoto clan seizes power from the emperor. Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes Shogun and establishes his own capital city in Kamakura. He is supported by his Daimyo (lords) and Samurai (warriors), many different Shoguns rule for the next 700 years. -
It is known as the Kamakura Period because Japans capital is now the city of Kamakura
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The Mongol army launches an attack, they land on the island of Kyushu but a Typhoon hits and destroys many of their ships and the attack fails. -
The Mongols launch a second attack on Japan, they land on Kyushu again and another typhoon hits destroying most of their ships and the invasion fails. -
Emperor Go-Daigo overthrows the Kamakura Shoguns and takes back power for a few years. -
Ashikaga Takauji seizes power from Emperor Go-Daigo and becomes the new Shogun -
It is known as the Muromachi Period because it is where the first Ashikaga Shogun, Takauji established administrative headquarters.
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The Warring States Period was a time of civil war between rival warlords that lasted about 100 years. -
it is known as the Azuchi-Momoyama Period because it is named for two castles Azuchi and Monoyama.
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William Adams, a sailor becomes the first Englishman to visit Japan, he befriends Tokugawa Ieyasu who becomes a Shogun and makes William Adams a key advisor. -
Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes Shogun and establishes a base in the city of Edo, modern day Tokyo. The Tokugawa Shogunate rules Japan for the next 260 years. -
It is called the Tokugawa or Edo Period because Tokugawa Ieyasu started a new Shogunate in the city of Edo.
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Tokugawa Iemitsu creates a policy called Sakoku, meaning no Japanese people can leave Japan and no foreigners can enter, the policy lasts around 180 years. -
A policy is introduced to reduce logging and increase the planting of trees, only the shogun and his Daimyo are able to authorise the use of wood. -
Commodore Matthew Perry, a US Naval officer arrives in the city of Edo to persuade the Japanese to open borders for trading -
The Convention of Kanagawa puts an end to Sokoku and Japan opens up to trades. -
The last Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, steps down and hands power back to the imperial family under Emperor Meji