Shogun Japan Timeline Task

  • 794

    Introduction of Zen Buddhism

    A new branch of Buddhism that influenced the samurai's focus on discipline and meditation.
  • 1185

    Rise of the samurai class

    Samurai became the dominant warrior class, holding power and social prestige.
  • 1192

    Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes the first shogun

    Established Japan's first military government and began the shogunate system.
  • Period: 1274 to 1281

    The Mongol invasions of Japan

    Mongol forces tried to invade Japan, but were defeated, partly due to "divine winds"
  • 1336

    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 daimyo that plunged Japan into chaos for over 100 years.
  • 1549

    Arrival of Christian missionaries (Francis Xavier)

    Christianity was introduced to Japan, leading to cultural exchange and later supression.
  • 1582

    Oda Nobunaga unifies much of Japan

    Powerful warlord who began Japan's unification using advanced military tactics.
  • Toyotomi Hideyoshi completes Japan's unification

    Finished the unification process and implemented strict social rules.
  • Bushido code becomes central to samurai life

    The samurai code of honor and loyalty guided behavior and social expectations.
  • Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun (start of Edo period)

    Began the Tokugawa Shogunate, a time of peace, order and isolation.
  • Sakoku-Japan's isolation Policy

    Japan closed itself off to foreign contact, banning Christianity and trade with most nations.
  • Opening of Japan (end of isolation)

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