Edo castle compound imperial palace tokyo

Timeline of Key Events in Shogun Japan

By Student_F
  • Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes the first Shogun
    1185

    Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes the first Shogun

    Yoritomo established Japan’s first military government and began the shogunate system.
  • Introduction of Zen Buddhism
    1200

    Introduction of Zen Buddhism

    A new branch of Buddhism that influenced the samurai’s focus on discipline and meditation.
  • First Mongol Invasion of Japan
    1274

    First Mongol Invasion of Japan

    Mongol forces tried to invade Japan but were defeated, partly due to “divine winds.”
  • Second Mongol Invasion of Japan
    1281

    Second Mongol Invasion of Japan

    A much larger invasion fleet was sent, but the Japanese fought back strongly. Another powerful typhoon hit and destroyed many ships which ended the invasion.
  • Ashikaga Shogunate Begins
    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.
  • Rise of the Samurai Class
    1500

    Rise of the Samurai Class

    Samurai became the dominant warrior class, holding power and social prestige.
  • Arrival of Christian missionaries (Francis Xavier)
    1549

    Arrival of Christian missionaries (Francis Xavier)

    Christianity was introduced to Japan, leading to cultural exchange and later suppression.
  • Period: 1568 to 1582

    Oda Nobunaga unifies much of Japan

    Powerful warlord who began Japan’s unification using advanced military tactics.
  • Period: 1582 to

    Toyotomi Hideyoshi completes Japan’s unification

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

    Bushido code becomes central to samurai life

    The samurai code of honour and loyalty guided behaviour and social expectations.
  • Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun (start of Edo Period)

    Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun (start of Edo Period)

    Began the Tokugawa Shogunate, a time of peace, order, and isolation.
  • Sakoku – Japan’s isolation policy

    Sakoku – Japan’s isolation policy

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

    Opening of Japan (end of isolation)

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