japan

  • Period: 794 to 1187

    The Heian Period

  • Period: 794 to 1185

    Rise of the Samurai Class Samurai

    Samurai became the dominant warrior class, holding power and social prestige.
  • Period: 1180 to 1188

    The Genpei War

    The Genpei War was a civil war between the Taira and Minamoto clans.
  • Period: 1183 to 1333

    The Kamakura Period

  • Period: 1191 to 1333

    Bushido code becomes central to samurai life

    The samurai code of honor and loyalty guided behavior and social expectations.
  • Period: 1192 to 1199

    Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes the first shogun

    Established Japan’s first military government and began the shogunate system.
  • Period: 1274 to 1281

    The Mongol Invasions of Japan

    Mongol forces tried to invade Japan but were defeated, partly due to “divine winds.”
  • Period: 1335 to 1537

    Muromachi Period

  • Period: 1336 to 1573

    Ashikaga Shogunate begins

    Ashikaga Takauji took power, marking a new shogunate after the fall of Kamakura rule.
  • Period: 1467 to

    Onin War and the start of the Sengoku Period

    A civil war between powerful daimyō that plunged Japan into chaos for over 100 years
  • 1500

    Introduction of Zen Buddhism

    A new branch of Buddhism that influenced the samurai’s focus on discipline and meditation.
  • Period: 1542 to 1549

    Arrival of Christian missionaries (Francis Xavier)

    Christianity was introduced to Japan, leading to cultural exchange and later suppression
  • Period: 1568 to 1582

    Oda Nobunaga unifies much of Japan

    Powerful warlord who began Japan’s unification using advanced military tactics.
  • Period: 1574 to

    Azuchi-Momoyama Period

  • Toyotomi Hideyoshi completes Japan’s unification

    Finished the unification process and implemented strict social rules.
  • Period: to

    Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun

    Began the Tokugawa Shogunate, a time of peace, order, and isolation.
  • Period: to

    Opening of Japan (end of isolation)

    Western nations forced Japan to open trade, leading to the fall of the shogunate.