Koboto santaro, a japanese military commander wellcome v0037661

Timeline of Key Events in Shogun Japan (1185-1868)

  • Period: 794 to 1185

    Rise of the Samurai Class

    Japan created a new Samurai Warrior class. Significance: The emperor Kammu abolished armies conscripted of peasants and created a system where the sons of Nobles were trained to serve as warriors, this group was later recognised as "Samurai" or "One to Serve." Impact: The impact of the "Rise of Samurai" was that new traditions were made, such as tea ceremony and the "Bushido code." Summary: Overall, the rise of samurai influenced new traditions into Japanese culture.
  • Period: 1184 to 1333

    Bushido Code Becomes Central to Samurai Life

    The samurai code of honour and loyalty guided behaviour and social expectations.
  • 1185

    Introduction of Zen Buddhism

    A new branch of Buddhism that influenced the samurai's focus on discipline and meditation.
  • 1190

    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." Significance: The Mongol empire invasion failures led to the "Kamikaze legends" and strengthen the power of the Shogunate. Impact: The Japanese made more defenses and better prepared for future battles, it also helped foster the "Kamikaze legend" Summary: The failure of the Mongol invasions helped foster Japanese legends and prepare Japan for future battles and strengthen their armies.
  • 1333

    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 suppresion.
  • 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.
  • Tokugawa Ieyasu Becomes Shogun (Start of Edo Period)

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

    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 to the fall of the shogunate.