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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.
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The Nara Period was the beginning of feudal Japan. In this period emperors ruled and the capital was Nara.
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Empress Genmei was famous for Kojiki, a very important historical document that included the first chronicle about Japanese history.
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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.
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The capital was moved to Heian which is now known as Kyoto during the Heian Period.
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By forbidding contact with china, Japan was able to develop its own independent government, culture and society.
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Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji) is written by Murasaki Shikibu. Genji Monogatari is the world's first novel. This book has
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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.
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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.
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Minamoto, a military leader becomes Japan's first Shogun. He established the first Shogunate.
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The Kamakura Period saw the first shogun and there were no longer any emperors. The capital was moved to Kamakura.
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The Mongol's first attempt to invade Japan failed as their ships were destroyed by a typhoon. This typhoon saved Japan from the invaders.
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The earthquake and tsunami that struck Kamakuru, the capital at the time, caused 20,000 deaths.
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During the Muromachi Period the capital moved to the Muromachi district of Japan.
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Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was a shogun who gained political stability for his family's shogunate which was founded by his grandfather.
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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.
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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.
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The Azuchi-Momoyama period was extravagant. Castles were built and they replaced temples.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Kabuki is a form of traditional Japanese drama and originated during the Tokugawa period when culture flourished. It uses song, mime and dance.
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The ruling shogun forbade travelling overseas. He also limited the countries Japan was trading with as well as banning all foreign books.
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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.
