Chronological Table of Japanese History

Era Jomon Period 400 B.C. Chronological Table of Japanese History People lived by hunting, fishing and gathering. Settlements of pit dwellings were formed and people came to settle down. Straw-rope or cord-marked pottery and ground stone tools were produced. Rice cropping and metal tools were introduced from the Continent. Large-scale settlements were formed and were integrated into small countries as a result of wars between them. The Great King and powerful regional families were allied to form the Yamato government. The government advanced into the Korean Peninsula seeking iron. Chinese characters, Confucianism, Buddhism and other foreign culture were introduced from the Continent. [Tumulus Culture]: Many tumuluses were built as graves of powerful regional families. Their styles varied depending on the time, and articles such as mirrors, comma-shaped beads, weapons, jewelry and haniwa were buried with the dead as grave goods. After the power struggle in the Yamato government, the foundation of the centralized government directed by the emperor was built. A system in which all lands and people were owned by the emperor that was modeled after the Tangs system of centralized government based on the ritsuryo code, was introduced. [Asuka Hakuho Culture]: Japanese envoys to the Sui and Tang dynasties were dispatched, and Chinese culture was introduced into Japan. Many temples including Horyu-ji Temple and Buddhist images were built. Heijokyo, the capital modeled after Changan in Tang, was built. As nobles came to own private estates across the country, the system of ownership of all lands and people by the emperor collapsed. Large earthquakes, famines, epidemics and wars caused social instability. [Tenpyo Culture] To keep the nation tranquil, Buddhist temples including Todai-ji Temple were built across the country. While foreign culture and institutions were introduced by missions to Tang, Japanese original history books and anthologies such as Kojiki, Nihon Shoki and Manyoshu were compiled.

Yayoi Period 300 B.C. 300 Yamato Period 300 709

Asuka Period 645 709

Nara Period 710 791

Heian Period 792 1191

Kamakura Period 1192 1333

Muromachi Period 1333 1573

The Age of Civil Wars 1467 1573

Azuchi Momoyama Period 1573 1603

The capital was relocated to Heiankyo in Kyoto. The Fujiwara family had been serving the Court, monopolized power by occupying the positions of regent and chancellor. As powerful nobles owned more estates, private ownership of lands and people prevailed. [Indigenous Culture] As the dispatching of envoys to Tang was discontinued, Japanese indigenous culture flourished. The pervasion of kana led to dramatic developments in tanka and Japanese literature. Anthologies such as Kokin Wakashu were compiled and literature such as Genji Monogatari and Makura no Soshi were written. In the late Heian Period, samurai who served the Court or nobles became powerful mainly in the provinces, and the Taira family, which was the head of the samurai families, gained ruling power. Minamoto no Yoritomo, who won the war against the Taira family, was appointed the shogun and established his government in Kamakura. After the death of Yoritomo, the Hojo family took power, but the shogunate deteriorated because of the incursion of Mongolians on the coasts of Japan. [Kamakura Culture] A culture reflecting the strength of the samurai developed. As the social situation deteriorated because of frequent wars and famines, six new sects of Buddhism were established and gained many believers. Ashikaga Takauji established the Muromachi Shogunate in Kyoto. While the authority of the emperor and nobles diminished, the samurai increased their power. [Muromachi Culture] A new cultural trend arose, which integrated the culture of the nobles and samurai, and was influenced by the culture of the Sung and Ming. A variety of arts including noh, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, gardens, architecture and linked verses flourished. Guns and Christianity were introduced by the Portuguese. The race for the successor of the shogun led to the Onin War. While the turmoil extended over the whole country, warlords expanded their domains by arms. The country plunged into a period of civil war, which was the age of rival chiefs. Oda Nobunaga overthrew the Muromachi Shogunate. After the death of Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi dominated the whole country. [Azuchi Momoyama Culture] A culture characterized by gorgeousness and magnificence, reflecting the

Edo Period 1603 1867

Meiji Period 1868 1912

ethos of warlords, developed. Western goods and technology such as typographic printing, cigarettes and glasses were introduced. Tokugawa Ieyasu, who won the battle of Sekigahara was appointed the shogun and established his government in Edo. The government adopted a policy of national seclusion, which prohibited Christianity and controlled foreign trade. As a money economy developed, merchants gained great power. [Genroku Culture] With the development of cities and transportation, townspeople came to have greater power. A lively culture reflecting their lifestyle developed centering around Osaka. As farmers struggled with famine and a heavy tax burden, many peasant revolts occurred. In order to rebuild government finances, the shogunate implemented the Three Great Reforms of Kyoho, Kansei and Tenpo. [Kasei Culture] In Edo and other cities, kabuki and ukiyoe gained popularity, and novels and picture books were published. As education developed, common people came to learn at private elementary schools. Commodore Perry visited Japan on a US mission. The government concluded treaties with the US and European countries, and opened the country. A movement to restore the emperor and expel the barbarians developed into the anti-shogunate movement. Tokugawa Nobuyoshi, the 15th shogun, returned political power to the emperor and the Edo shogunate fell. A new government directed by the Meiji Emperor was established. Various reforms to build a modern state were implemented and modernization was promoted rapidly. [Civilization and Enlightenment] The government proactively introduced Western knowledge, technology and educational systems. With the growth of the Freedom and Peoples Rights Movement, the government promised to establish a Diet. The cabinet system was formed and the Constitution of the Empire of Japan was promulgated. Japans intrusion into Korea caused the deterioration of its relationship with Qing and led to the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War. Its invasion of Korea and Manchuria also provoked the Russo-Japanese War. [Meiji Culture] There were two contrasting movements, emulation of western culture, and

Taisho Period 1912 1926

Showa Period 1926 1989

Heisei Period 1989

return to Japanese traditions, in all fields of culture. These influenced each other to create a culture in which Japanese and Western styles blended. Japan participated in World War I in accordance with the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. The great Kanto Earthquake occurred and brought catastrophic damage to Tokyo and Yokohama. The Universal Suffrage Act and the Peace Preservation Law were enacted. [Taisho democracy] Western clothes and architecture prevailed, and a democratic movement became active. Thinkers and writers who advocated liberalism and socialism published many heavily political works. The military-led government provoked the Manchurian Incident and Japan withdrew from the League of Nations. The Sino-Japanese War began and led to the Pacific War. Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration after the dropping of atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Under the occupation of the General HQ, the Constitution of Japan was promulgated and enforced. Japan joined the United Nations and resumed diplomatic relations with countries around the world. [Postwar Rehabilitation Period] As control over the press was removed after the war, radio and TV broadcasting and publications spread a new, free culture. Japan went into a high economic growth period, starting with the Junmu Boom in 1955. The start of operation of the Tokaido Shinkasen and hosting the Tokyo Olympic Games marked the emergence of Japan as a developed country. [Mass Culture] In the continued economic boom, the life of people became stable. Culture and entertainment for the masses were created and gained wide support. As capital concentrated in lands and stocks, abnormal appreciation of assets, called a bubble economy, occurred. In the 1990s, the price of lands and stocks crashed, causing the bankruptcy of many banks and major companies. Increasing numbers of young people lost their jobs, or became job-hopping part time workers or NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training).