Shogunate Japan History Timeline

  • Zen Buddhism introduced to Japan
    653

    Zen Buddhism introduced to Japan

    Zen Buddhism was first introduced to Japan, influencing culture, religion and values.
  • Period: 794 to 1185

    Rise of the samurai class

    Samurai became the dominant social class, gaining newfound power.
  • Period: 1185 to 1334

    Bushido code becomes central to Japanese samurai life

    The samurai code that made them show qualities like loyalty and honor was introduced, shaping their expectations. The concept but not yet the name came about during the Kamakura period.
  • 1192

    Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes first shogun, marking the beginning of shogunate Japan.

    Japan's first military government was established, marking the beginning of the shogunate system.
  • 1274

    First Mongol invasion in Japan

    Mongol forces unsuccessfully invade Japan for the first time.
  • 1279

    Second Mongol invasion in Japan

    Mongol forces once again unsuccessfully invade Japan.
  • 1338

    Ashikaga Shogunate Begins

    Ashikaga Takauji was appointed as shogun, marking the beginning of the Ashikaga Shogunate after the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate.
  • 1467

    Start of Ōnin War and Sengoku period.

    A civil war between two daimyo that led to a period of chaos in Japan that lasted over a century.
  • 1549

    Christian missionaries arrive and Christianity is introduced to Japan

    Christian missionaries arrive in Japan, leading to cultural exchange but later a ban due to fear of social disruption.
  • Period: 1568 to 1582

    Oda Nobunaga unifies much of Japan

    A powerful figure in Japan begins unification of Japan using military tactics.
  • Toyotomi Hideyoshi successfully unifies Japan

    After the fall of Odawara, Toyotomi Hideyoshi successfully unified Japan under strict social rules.
  • Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun (start of Edo period)

    Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes the shogun of Japan, marking a 265 year period of peace and stability.
  • Period: to

    Sakoku (Japan's isolation policy) established

    Japan cut off almost all foreign contact, banning Christianity and Christian missionaries through a series of adjustments and introductions to new policies. It lasted around 220 years.
  • Japan's isolation policy ends

    Western nations made Japan open its borders and allow trade, leading to the fall of the shogunate.