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The capital is located in Nara, a small town close to Kyoto, and a number of large Buddhist temples are built to protect the Emperor. A time of close ties with China. 710-794 ce
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A time of rapid cultural change strongly influenced by China, led from modern day Kyoto.
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Japan is dominated by powerful military families, and the arts are highly decorated in style.
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In the Kamakura Period, Minamoto no Yoritomo creates the first 'warrior government' or Shogunate in 1193. The Minamoto family rules from Kamakura, coastal town of Japan not to far away from modern-day Tokyo.
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In the Muromachi Period, Ashikaga clan rules as the Shoguns. They move to the capital to Kyoto in the Muromachi district.
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The Momoyama Period (or Azuchi-Momoyama Period) were the final years of the Medieval Period, which ended the 'Warring States' and Medieval periods, when 'three great unifiers' united the country by force under a military government.
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In the Tokugawa (Edo) Period, Japan is united under the Tokugawa Clan and society is reorganized around 4 classes: Samurai, farmers, craftsmen and merchants. Life centers on Edo (Tokyo), new capital of Japan.