1. History Timeline of Japanese History Jomon period: Before 300 BC The early Japanese were hunters, gatherers, and fishers. Yayoi period: 300 BC – 300 AD Introduction of rice agriculture and the unifying of small countries into larger countries.

2. Kofun period: 300 – 538 AD. Japan for the first time is more or less unified. Larger tombs are built for deceased leaders (Kofuns)

3. Asuka period: 538 –710 AD. 538 – 552 introduction of Buddhism. 604 – Prince Shotoku’s Constitution of 17 articles is written PRINCE SHOTOKU

4. Nara period: 710 – 784 AD 710 -Nara becomes the first permanent capital. 784- The capital moves to Nagaoka.

5. Heian period: 794 – 1185 AD 794- The capital moves to Heian (Kyoto). 838-Official contact with China stops 1016- Fujiwara Michinaga becomes regent. 1159-The Taira clan takes control after the Heiji War and becomes the most powerful clan in Medieval Japan. 1180-85 The Minamoto clan ends the reign of the Taira clan after the Gempei Wars

6. Kamakura period: 1192 – 1333 AD. 1191 – The Zen sect is introduced (from China) stressing meditation and spiritual strength. 1192- Minamoto Yoritomo is appointed shogun and establishes the Kamakura government 1232- A legal code is introduced. 1274 and 1281- The Mongols try to invade Japan but fail because of a great storm (divine wind - “Kamikaze”). 1333 – The Kamakura government falls

7. Muromachi period: 1338-1573 AD 1338 After continued civil war Takauji establishes the Muromachi government and a second emperor in Kyoto 1392-Unification of the Northern and Southern courts 1467-1477 Onin War (great civil war) Sengoku Jidai (Era of “Country at War”) 1542- Portuguese traders introduce firearms 1568- Oda Nobunaga enters Kyoto as new leader.

8. Azuchi-Momoyama period: 1573-1603 AD 1575 – The Takeda clan is defeated in the battle of Nagashino 1582-Nobunaga is murdered and succeeded by Toyotmi Hideyoshi – foundation of modern nation of Japan formed 1588-The “sword hunt” ends when Hideyoshi takes away the weapons of religious institutions and farmers increasing the power of a central government. ODAWARA CASTLE

9. 1590- Japan is reunified after the fall of Odawara (Hojo) 1592-98 –Japanese unsuccessful invasion of Korea 1600-Tokugawa Ieyasu defeats his rivals in the Battle of Sekigahara

10. Edo period: 1603-1867 AD 1603- Ieyasu is appointed shogun and establishes the Tokugawa government in Edo (Tokyo). 1614- Ieyasu intensifies the persecution of Christians yet establishes trade relations with the English and Dutch 1615- The Toyotomi clan is destroyed after Ieyasu captures Osaka Castle. OSAKA CASTLE

11. 1639-Japan isolates itself from the world. Only the port of Nagasaki open to trade. Japanese couldn’t travel outside of Japan. 1792-The Russians try to establish relations with Japan but fail. 1854- U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry forces the Japanese government to open a limited number of trade ports and trade relations with the United States. MATTHEW PERRY

12. Meiji period: 1868-1912 AD 1868- The Meiji restoration. Meiji means “enlightened rule” and this era saw the modernization of Japan following western ways. Emphasis in building a strong military/navy with the help of the British 1872- First railway line established between Tokyo and Yokohama

13. 1889 The Meiji Constitution is written 1894-95 Sino (Chinese)- Japanese War (Japanese victory) 1904-05 Russian-Japanese War (Japan defeats Russia, Korea is under the control of Japan) 1910-Annexation of Korea 1912- Death of Emperor Meiji Japan’s modernization The Russian fleet is destroyed 1905

14. Taisho period: 1912-1926 1914-1918 Japan joins allied forces (Great Britain, France, United States) in World War I 1923 The Great Kanto Earthquake destroys Tokyo and Yokohama GREAT KANTO EARTHQUAKE

15. Showa period: 1926-1989 AD 1931- Manchurian incident – Japan and China prepare for war against each other. 1937-Second China-Japanese War starts and the Japanese invade China controlling most of Manchuria. 1941-Attack on Pearl Harbor Japan enters into war against the Americans and British. 1945- Japan surrenders after two atomic bombs destroy the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. World War II leaves Japan in ruins. Pearl Harbor under attack Destruction of Hiroshima

16. 1946- Japan forms a new government under a new Constitution. The emperor loses all political and military power. With American support, Korea gains independence from Japan. 1952- The Allied Occupation of Japan ends yet American soldiers remain stationed on American bases. 1956- Japan becomes a member of the United Nations. Japanese surrendered aboard the American battle ship Missouri Japan joins the United Nations in an attempt to end future wars

17. Heisei period: 1989 – 1995- The Hanshin earthquake hits Kobe 2002 – Japan / Korea host the FIFA World Cup 2011 – Massive earthquake hits Northern Japan followed by a destructive Tsunami. 1964- Olympic games held in Tokyo 1960 - 1970’s – Japanese economic boom 1972- Japan and China normalize relations.