Shogun Japan Timeline Task

Introduction of Zen Buddhism

794

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

Rise of the samurai class

1185

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

Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes the first shogun

1192

Established Japan's first military government and began the shogunate system.

The Mongol invasions of Japan

Period: 1274 to 1281

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

Ashikaga Shogunate begins

1336

Ashikaga Takauji took power, marking a new shogunate after the fall of Kamakura rule

Onin war and the start of the Sengoku period

Period: 1467 to 1477

A civil war between powerful daimyo that plunged Japan into chaos for over 100 years.

Arrival of Christian missionaries (Francis Xavier)

1549

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

Oda Nobunaga unifies much of Japan

1582

Powerful warlord who began Japan's unification using advanced military tactics.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi completes Japan's unification

1590

Finished the unification process and implemented strict social rules.

Bushido code becomes central to samurai life

1603

The samurai code of honor and loyalty guided behavior and social expectations.

Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun (start of Edo period)

1603

Began the Tokugawa Shogunate, a time of peace, order and isolation.

Sakoku-Japan's isolation Policy

1635

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

Opening of Japan (end of isolation)

1854

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