Map of japan 16th cent

Tiny Island, Big Impact

  • Hideyoshi's Letter to Jesuit Vice-Provincial Gaspar Coelho

    Hideyoshi's Letter to Jesuit Vice-Provincial Gaspar Coelho

    Hideyoshi was aghast by the massive slavery conducted on his people and blamed the Portuguese and Jesuits and banned Christianity. He wrote the letter to demand the purchase of Japanese slaves to stop, and for all Japanese slaves to be returned.
  • Tokugawa Ieyasu declared Shogun

    Tokugawa Ieyasu declared Shogun

    This marks the beginning of the Edo Period. Tokugawa led Japan to its first golden age, trade with Europeans countries, population increasing, infrastructure established, education becoming wide spread, economic growth, and much more.
  • Amboyna Massacre

    Amboyna Massacre

    England closed its Japanese base at Hirado Island without notifying Japan, effectively ending any contact since soon after Japan closes its borders.
  • Qing Dynasty Began

    Qing Dynasty Began

    After Hideyoshi's Korean invasions depleted Ming Dynasty's resources, the Qing Dynasty began.
  • Narutaki Juku Built

    Narutaki Juku Built

    Philip Franz von Siebold was stationed to Japan from Netherlands. He established the medical school Narutaki Juku which allowed Japanese scientists to learn western medicine.
  • Commodore Perry Advances

    Commodore Perry Advances

    In 1854, Commodore Perry tries to force Japan open its borders, ending two and a half centuries of isolation.