-
May 4, 710
Handen Shūju
The Handen Shūju was a system that allocated rice land to anyone over the age of six. A male received 2 tan (1 tan = 0.12ha) and a female would receive 2/3 of that. -
Period: May 4, 710 to May 4, 794
The Nara Period
The Nara Period was the beginning of feudal Japan. In this period emperors ruled and the capital was Nara. -
May 4, 711
Empress Genmei and Kojiki
Empress Genmei was famous for Kojiki, a very important historical document that included the first chronicle about Japanese history. -
May 4, 752
The Great Buddha Statue Is Completed
The Great Buddha Statue at Todaiji temple is completed. Buddhism has spread through Japan after Prince Shotoku promotes Buddhism. Buddhist temples and sculptures are constructed. -
Period: May 4, 794 to May 4, 1185
The Heian Period
The capital was moved to Heian which is now known as Kyoto during the Heian Period. -
May 4, 838
Emperor Forbids Contact With China
By forbidding contact with china, Japan was able to develop its own independent government, culture and society. -
May 4, 1000
Genji Monogatari Is Written
Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji) is written by Murasaki Shikibu. Genji Monogatari is the world's first novel. This book has
54 chapters. -
May 4, 1180
The Genpei War
The Genpei War was fought between the Taira and Minamoto clan about who should be the next emperor. The Minomoto clan won. To avoid being captured, the emperor from the Taira clan, Antoku, was drowned by family members and he was only a boy. -
May 4, 1180
The Yowa Famine
The Yowa famine was brought by drought. Many people left their land and homes and journeyed to the mountains. It was either that or starving to death. -
May 4, 1185
Minamoto Yoritomo Becomes Japans First Shogun
Minamoto, a military leader becomes Japan's first Shogun. He established the first Shogunate. -
Period: May 4, 1185 to May 4, 1333
The Kamakura Period
The Kamakura Period saw the first shogun and there were no longer any emperors. The capital was moved to Kamakura. -
May 4, 1274
Bunei War - The Mongol's First Attempt To Invade Japan
The Mongol's first attempt to invade Japan failed as their ships were destroyed by a typhoon. This typhoon saved Japan from the invaders. -
May 4, 1293
Kamakuru Earthquake and Tsunami
The earthquake and tsunami that struck Kamakuru, the capital at the time, caused 20,000 deaths. -
Period: May 4, 1333 to May 4, 1568
The Muromachi Period
During the Muromachi Period the capital moved to the Muromachi district of Japan. -
May 4, 1368
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu Becomes Shogun
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was a shogun who gained political stability for his family's shogunate which was founded by his grandfather. -
May 4, 1467
Onin War
The Onin War was fought between the prime minister and Yamana Mochitoyo and his family who were strong landowners. Both wanted to gain control of the country. The war ended in 1477 in a tie, however the prime minister did win control of the government. -
May 4, 1543
Nanban Trade
Nanban trade began in 1543 with the first European traders and ended in 1641 when there was almost a total ban of traders. Nanban was the Japanese term for Barbarians. During this period, the Portuguese traders introduced firearms to the Japanese. -
Period: May 4, 1568 to
The Azuchi-Monoyama Period
The Azuchi-Momoyama period was extravagant. Castles were built and they replaced temples. -
May 4, 1576
Azuchi Momoyama Castle
The Azuchi Momoyama castle was built in 1576 by Oda Nobunaga, a warrior and government official. This castle was the first to be surrounded by high walls. It acted as defence fortress and mansion. -
Korea Invasion
Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a feudal lord who as his last ambition for Japan, wanted to invade Korea. During his invasion, he occupied Seoul however his army was pushed out by Korea's ally, China. The mission was unsuccessful and immediately stopped when Toyotomi Hideyoshi died. -
Battle of Sekigahara
The Battle of Sekigahara was fought after Toyotomi Hideyoshi died. His only heir and son was still an infant so five powerful lords took control until the son was old enough to rule. Conflict started between them and lead to war and the Tokugawa family won starting the next period in Japanese history. -
Period: to
The Tokugawa Period (Edo Period)
The Tokugawa Period was the final period of traditional Japan. During this time, there was peace and economic growth. The capital moved to Edo, now Tokyo. -
Kabuki
Kabuki is a form of traditional Japanese drama and originated during the Tokugawa period when culture flourished. It uses song, mime and dance. -
Isolation of Japan
The ruling shogun forbade travelling overseas. He also limited the countries Japan was trading with as well as banning all foreign books. -
Meirike Fire
The Meirike fire was one of the most destructive fires in Edo. Edo had many wooden buildings and narrow alleyways which meant fire could spread very easily. During the Meirike fire 100,000 lives were lost and most of Edo Castle had burned.
