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710
First Official Capital
The first official capital of Japan is based in the city of Nara and is led by the Imperial Family. -
Period: 710 to 794
Nara Period
It is known as the Nara period due to the fact that the capital of Japan was Nara -
794
New Capital
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 -
Period: 794 to 1185
Heian Period
It is known as the Heian period because Japans capital was moved to the city of Heian-Kyo -
1185
The Minamoto Clan
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. -
Period: 1185 to 1333
The Kamakura Period
It is known as the Kamakura Period because Japans capital is now the city of Kamakura -
1274
Mongols Attack
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. -
1281
The Mongols Second Attack
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. -
1333
Emperor Go-Daigo
Emperor Go-Daigo overthrows the Kamakura Shoguns and takes back power for a few years. -
1337
Ashikaga Takauji
Ashikaga Takauji seizes power from Emperor Go-Daigo and becomes the new Shogun -
Period: 1337 to 1573
The Muromachi Period
It is known as the Muromachi Period because it is where the first Ashikaga Shogun, Takauji established administrative headquarters. -
1467
The Warring States Period
The Warring States Period was a time of civil war between rival warlords that lasted about 100 years. -
Period: 1573 to
Azuchi-Momoyama Period
it is known as the Azuchi-Momoyama Period because it is named for two castles Azuchi and Monoyama. -
The First Englishman
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 becomes Shogun
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. -
Period: to
Tokugawa Period
It is called the Tokugawa or Edo Period because Tokugawa Ieyasu started a new Shogunate in the city of Edo. -
Sakoku
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. -
Reduced Logging
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. -
Matthew Perry
Commodore Matthew Perry, a US Naval officer arrives in the city of Edo to persuade the Japanese to open borders for trading -
The End Of Sokoku
The Convention of Kanagawa puts an end to Sokoku and Japan opens up to trades. -
The Last Shogun
The last Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, steps down and hands power back to the imperial family under Emperor Meji