Shogun Japan

  • Introduction of Zen Buddhism
    500

    Introduction of Zen Buddhism

    A new branch of Buddhism that influenced the samurai’s focus on discipline and meditation.
  • Period: 794 to 1185

    The Heian Period

    The Heian period was a period that dates back to the 794 to 1185 CE, and was an period of classical Japanese culture, this includes flourishing arts and literature.
  • Period: 794 to 1185

    Rise of the Samurai Class

    During the Heian Period the samurai class evolved from warriors hired by the wealthy into a dominant political military force that had governed Japan for 700 years. Samurai became the dominant warrior class, holding power and social prestige.
  • Period: 1180 to 1185

    The Genpei War

    The Genpei war was a civil war fought in Japan between the Taira and Minamoto clans. This ended with Minamoto taking the victory.
  • Period: 1185 to 1333

    The Kamakura Period

    The Kamakura was a pivotal era in the Japanese history, characterized by the establishment of a feudal military government. during the era the rise of the samurai class and the establishment of the first military government, the Katakura shogunate.
  • Period: 1191 to 1333

    Bushido code becomes central to samurai life

    The samurai code of honor and loyalty guided behavior and social expectations. Which provided their conduct as warriors and administrators, with the key virtues of honor loyalty guided behavior and social expectations.
  • Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes the first shogun
    1192

    Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes the first shogun

    Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes first shogun after defeating the rival Taira Clan in the Genpai war. He established the Kamakura shogunate, that ruled Japan for centuries. This began the establishment of the first military government in Japan and its first Shogunate system
  • Period: 1336 to 1573

    Muromachi Period

    The Muromachi Period was a turbulent and transformative era in Japanese history. This is because of the political upheaval under the Ashikaga shogunate
  • Ashikaga Shogunate begins
    1338

    Ashikaga Shogunate begins

    Ashikaga Takauji took power after overthrew the Kamakura shogunate and established his own military government in Kyoto, marking a new shogunate after the fall of Kamakura rule. This marked the start of the Muromachi period.
  • Period: 1467 to 1477

    Onin War and the start of the Sengoku Period

    A civil war that began as a dispute over shogunal succession but quickly devolved into a widespread power struggle between powerful daimyō, that plunged Japan into chaos for over 100 years.
  • Arrival of Christian missionaries (Francis Xavier)
    1542

    Arrival of Christian missionaries (Francis Xavier)

    Christianity was introduced to Japan, leading to cultural exchange and later suppression.
  • Period: 1568 to 1582

    Oda Nobunaga unifies much of Japan

    Oda Nobunaga unified central Japan through military conquest, but did not complete the full unification before his death in 1582. His actions laid the groundwork for his successors. Oda Nobunaga was a Powerful warlord who began Japan’s unification using advanced military tactics.
  • Period: 1574 to

    Azuchi-Momoyama Period

    The period officially concluded when Tokugawa leyasu established the Tokugawa Shogunate.
  • Toyotomi Hideyoshi completes Japan’s unification

    Toyotomi Hideyoshi completes Japan’s unification

    Toyotomi Hideyoshi completed Japan's unification by defeating Hojo clan. Finished the unification process and implemented strict social rules.
  • Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun

    Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun

    Tokugawa leyasu becomes shogun after winning the battle of Sekigahara, that secured his dominance over Japan. Also began the Tokugawa Shogunate, a time of peace, order, and isolation.
  • Period: to

    Tokugawa (Edo) Period

    Toyotomi Hideyoshi died in 1598 AD and a man named, Tokugawa Ieyasu, came to power. Tokugawa Ieyasu was shogun by the emperor and became the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan. This period was characteristically peaceful time of great prosperity.
  • Period: to

    Sakoku – Japan’s isolation policy

    Japan closed itself off to foreign contact, banning Christianity and trade with most nations. This was a system of strict regulations enacted by the Tokugawa shogunate to control foreign relations and eliminate foreign influence.
  • Opening of Japan (end of isolation)

    Opening of Japan (end of isolation)

    Japan ended its centuries-long isolationist period, after Western nations forced Japan to open trade, leading to the fall of the shogunate.