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710
The First Offical Capital Of Japan
The first official capital of Japan is based in the city of Nara; the imperial family – led by a series of emperors or empresses – rules over Japan during this time -
710
1st Capital of Japan
The first official capital of Japan is based in the city of Nara; the imperial family – led by a series of emperors or empresses – rules over Japan during this time. -
Period: 710 to 794
Nara Period
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794
Capital Moves to Heian-Kyo
Under orders from Emperor Kammu, the capital of Japan moves to the city of Heian-Kyo (modern-day Kyoto); it remains the official capital of Japan for the next 1000 years. -
794
Capital Moves to Heian-Kyo
Under orders from Emperor Kammu, the capital of Japan moves to the city of Heian-Kyo (modern-day Kyoto); it remains the official capital of Japan for the next 1000 years. -
Period: 794 to 1185
Heian Period
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1185
Minamoto Clan Seizes Power
The Minamoto clan seizes power from the emperor; Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes shogun and establishes his own capital city in Kamakura; with support from daimyo (lords) and samurai (warriors) a series of shoguns rules Japan for the next 700 years -
1185
Minamoto Clan Seizes Power
The Minamoto clan seizes power from the emperor; Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes shogun and establishes his own capital city in Kamakura; with support from daimyo (lords) and samurai (warriors) a series of shoguns rules Japan for the next 700 years -
Period: 1185 to 1333
Kamakura Period
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1274
Attack On Japan
The Mongol army launches an attack on Japan, landing on
the island of Kyushu; a typhoon destroys many of their ships and the invasion fails. -
1274
Attack On Japan
The Mongol army launches an attack on Japan, landing on
the island of Kyushu; a typhoon destroys many of their ships and the invasion fails. -
1281
Attack On Japan Part 2
The Mongol army launches a second attack on Japan, landing once again on the island of Kyushu; for the second time a typhoon hits destroying almost all Mongol ships and the invasion fails. -
1281
Attack On Japan Part 2
The Mongol Army launches a second attack on Japan, landing once again on the island of Kyushu; for the second time a typhoon hits destroying almost all Mongol ships and the invasion fails. -
1333
Go-Daigo Takes Back Power
Emperor Go-Diago overthrows the Kamakura shogunate and takes back power for a brief period. -
1337
Ashikaga Takauji Takes Power
Ashikaga Takauji seizes power from Emperor Go-Daigo to become the new shogun. -
Period: 1337 to 1573
Muromachi Period
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1467
Civil War
A period of civil war, known as the Warring States period, begins in Japan between rival warlords; it lasts for around 100 years. -
Period: 1573 to
Azuchi-Momoyama Period
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First Englishman to Japan
William Adams, a sailor and navigator, becomes the first Englishman to visit Japan; he befriends Tokugawa Ieyasu (a future shogun) and later becomes a key advisor to him. -
Tokugawa Ieyasu 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
Edo Period
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Locked In
Tokugawa Iemitsu introduces a policy known as sakoku (meaning ‘locked country’); under the policy, no Japanese people are permitted to leave Japan and no foreigners are allowed to enter; the policy remains in effect until around 1853 -
More Wood
A policy is introduced to reduce logging and increase the planting of trees; only the shogun and his daimyo are able to authorize the use of wood. -
Less Wood
Timber harvesting in Japan has now been reduced by 60 percent;
it remains at low levels for the next 30 years, allowing Japan’s forests to recover. -
Trade Season
Commodore Matthew Perry, a US naval officer, arrives in the city of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to persuade the Japanese to open their borders to trade. -
Trade With USA
The Convention of Kanagawa puts an end to the policy
of sakoku; Japan opens up trade with the United States. -
The Last Shogun
The last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, steps down and hands power back to the imperial family under Emperor Meiji.