Shogun Japan

  • Period: 538 to 710

    Introduction of Zen Buddhism

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

    The Heian Period

    Emperor Kammu moved the imperial capital from Nara to Heian-kyo, now known as Kyoto.
  • Period: 794 to 1185

    Rise of the Samurai Class

    Samurai became the dominant warrior class, holding power and social prestige.
  • Period: 1180 to 1185

    The Genpei War

    A national civil war between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the late-Heian period of Japan.
  • Period: 1192 to 1192

    Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes the first shogun

    Established Japan’s first military government and began the shogunate system.
  • Period: 1272 to 1281

    The Mongol Invasions of Japan

    Mongol forces tried to invade Japan but were defeated, partly due to “divine winds.”
  • Period: 1336 to 1537

    Muromachi Period 1336

    The Muromachi period of feudal Japan lasted from around 1336 AD to 1573 AD and was under the rule of the Muromachi shogunate.
  • Period: 1338 to 1338

    Ashikaga Shogunate begins

    Ashikaga Takauji took power, marking a new shogunate after the fall of Kamakura rule.
  • Period: 1467 to 1477

    Onin War and the start of the Sengoku Period

    A civil war between powerful daimyō that plunged Japan into chaos for over 100 years.
  • Period: 1549 to 1549

    Arrival of Christian missionaries (Francis Xavier)

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

    The Azuchi-Momoyama Period

    The Azuchi Momoyama period of feudal Japan lasted from around 1574 AD to 1600 AD, and it was a time when society became unified under the daimyō Oda Nobunaga.
  • Period: 1568 to 1582

    Oda Nobunaga unifies much of Japan

    Powerful warlord who began Japan’s unification using advanced military tactics.
  • Period: to

    Toyotomi Hideyoshi completes Japan’s unification

    Finished the unification process and implemented strict social rules.
  • Period: to

    Tokugawa Period

    Toyotomi Hideyoshi died in 1598 AD and a man named, Tokugawa Ieyasu, came to power.
  • Period: to

    Sakoku – Japan’s isolation policy

    Japan closed itself off to foreign contact, banning Christianity and trade with most nations.
  • Period: to

    Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun

    Began the Tokugawa Shogunate, a time of peace, order, and isolation.
  • Period: to

    Bushido code becomes central to samurai life

    The samurai code of honour and loyalty guided behaviour and social expectations.
  • Period: to

    Opening of Japan (end of isolation)

    Western nations forced Japan to open trade, leading to the fall of the shogunate.