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Period: 700 to 794
Nara Period
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794
The capital of Japan moves to the city of Helan-Kyo (modern-day Kyoto)
Under orders from Emperor Kammu, the capital of Japan moves to the city of Helan-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
The Minamoto clan seizes power from the emperor, the new shogun is Minamoto no Yoritomo.
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
The Mongol army launches an 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
The Mongol army launches a second attack on Japan
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. -
1333
Emperor overthrows the Kamakura shogunate
Emperor Go-Daigo overthrows the Kamakura shogunate, and takes back power from the shogun. -
Period: 1333 to 1573
Muromachi period
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1337
Ashikaga Takauji becomes the new shogun.
Ashikaga Takauji seizes power from Emperor Go-Daigo to become the new shogun. -
1467
A period of civil war begins in Japan between rival warlords
A period of civil war, known as the Warning States period, begins in Japan between rival warlords; it lasts for around 100 years. -
Period: 1573 to
Azuchi-Momoyama
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William Adams becomes the first Englishman to visit Japan
William Adams, a sailor and navigator, becomes the first Englishman to visit Japan; he befriends Tokugawa leyasu (a future shogun) and later becomes a key advisor to him. -
Tokugawa leyasu becomes shogun and establishes a base in the city to Edo
Tokugawa leyasu becomes shogun and establishes a base in the city to Edo (modern-day Tokyo); the Tokugawa shogunate rules Japan for the next 260 years. -
Period: to
Tokugawa (or Edo) period
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Tokugawa lemitsu introduces a policy known as saikoku
Tokugawa lemitsu introduces a policy known as saikoku (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. -
Only the shogun and his daimyo are able to authorise the use of wood.
A policy is introduced to reduce logging and increase the planting of trees; only the shogun and his daimyo are able to authorise the use of wood. -
Timber harvesting in Japan has now been reduced by 60 per cent
Timber harvesting in Japan has now been reduced by 60 per cent; it remains at low levels for the next 30 years, allowing Japan’s forests to recover. -
Commodore Matthew Perry
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. -
The Convention of Kanagawa puts an end to the policy
The Convention of Kanagawa puts an end to the policy of sakoku; Japan opens up trade with the United States. -
Tokugawa Yoshinob steps down
The last shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu, steps down and hands power back to the imperial family under Emperor Meiji.
