Key Periods in Japanese History By SarahRoper 552 Koren King recommends Buddhism to the Japanese Jun 26, 700 First Poetry written in Japanese Period: Sep 12, 710 to Mar 2, 2022 Nara Period Oct 8, 1000 First Japanese Novels Jun 12, 1185 Minamoto Yoritomo Appointed Period: Dec 11, 1185 to Mar 2, 2014 Kamakura bakufu Aug 8, 1200 Zen Buddhism Introduced Aug 11, 1265 First Mongol Invasion Aug 11, 1281 Second Mongol Invasion Period: Feb 23, 1338 to Oct 5, 1603 Ashikaga shogunate Feb 1, 1368 Ashikaga Yoshimitisu Appointed Oct 9, 1542 Tokagawa Ieyasu Appointed Oct 8, 1543 First Portuguese Traders Period: Mar 2, 1603 to Dec 2, 1868 Tokugawa shogunate Oct 9, 1637 Closing of Ports to Foreign Ships This was as a result of Tokugawa Ieysu's decision to block all contact with the outside world. Jul 6, 1854 Treaty with the USA Period: Aug 12, 1868 to Oct 9, 2014 Meji Restoration Period: Mar 2, 2022 to Dec 11, 1156 Heian Period (Kyoto)