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300
Yayoi
Yayoi people are organized into clans. They made huts to live in.They were the ancestors of the Japanese people. They planted rice fields for food. -
550
Yomoto
Yomoto clan rules most of Japan. Yamoto chiefs claimed that they came from the sun goddess and therefore, had a right to rule Japan. -
Feb 7, 600
Shotoku
A Yamato Prince named Shotoku took charge of Japan and looked up to China on what to do to improve his government..He created a constitution to reach a goal for Japan -
May 15, 646
Taika
Taika reforms strengthen emperor's powers. They divided Japan into provinces. -
Jun 9, 752
The Todajj temple
The temple was built to serve as a head temple for Buddhism in Japan. It is the world's largest wooden structure. This temple was reconstructed in 1692. -
Aug 23, 1000
Lady Murasaki Shikibu
Wrote the tale of genji. This work describes the adventures of a Japanese prince. Some people beilieve the work is the world's first novel. -
Jun 15, 1100
Zen Buddhism
A religion brought to Japan by Buddhist monks. Zen taught that people could find inner peace throuh self control and a simple way of life. Followers of Zen learned to control their bodies through martial arts and they practiced meditation which cleared the mind of all thoughts and desires -
Apr 1, 1180
Gempei War
A civil war between the two most powerful clans. The war was between the Taira and the Minamoto family. Later in 1185 the Minamoto forces defeated the Taira. -
May 22, 1185
Shikoku
Place where the Gempei War took place. The battle was ended there between the two clans. Shikoku was a large island. -
Nov 29, 1189
Kamakura banquets
The samarai rose during the period of the Kamakura. The banquet consisted of a menu of rice, pickeled plums, jellyfish and dried abalone. -
Dec 2, 1192
Minamato Yoritomo
He was the commander of the Minamato armies. He was gave the title shogun which meant commander of all of the emperor's military forces. He proved to be a ruthless ruler. He killed most of his relatives, fearing they would try to take power from him. -
Jan 31, 1300
Noh plays
The oldest type of play in Japan. The plays were used to teach Buddhist ideas. The plays were performed on a simple bare stage. -
Oct 10, 1333
Ashikaga Takauji
He turned against the emperor and made himself shogun. He created a new government called the Ashikaga shogunate. -
Feb 17, 1467
Onin War
The Onin war was a disastrous suffering that took place in Japan. During the conflict, the city of Kyoto or Heian was completely destroyed. Armies passed back and forth through the city, burning temples and palaces. -
Feb 17, 1567
Ashikaga shogunate
Government of weak rulers. Were brought down in 1567. After that only a handful of powerful powerful daimyo remained. -
Sushi
Sushi originated from Asia and was brought to Japan in the 8th century. Sushi is a mixture of rice and raw fish. The rice was often discarded prior to consumption. -
Tempura
This was the type of deep battered cooking developed by the Portuguese and later when the Japanese came in contact with the Portuguese they developed this food. The items that included tempura were vegetables and seafood. -
Rice
Rice was created nearly 2000 years ago by a group called the Yayoi. The Yayoi really hailed from Korea and Northern China. Rice was a good food for the climate the Yayoi had. -
Tea
Tea was made around the the same time of rice. The most popular tea in Japan is green tea, which has some health benefits. -
Heian
Japan's capital is moved to Heian. This capital was built by emperor Kammu.
