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In 794, Emperor Kanmu moved Japan’s capital to Heian-kyō, starting the Heian period. Japan developed its own culture, separating from Chinese influence. Power shifted from emperors to daimyo and samurai. The shogun became Japan’s true ruler, while the emperor remained a powerless figurehead. Shogun clans ruled Japan for centuries.
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Samurai became the dominant warrior class, holding power and social prestige.
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The Genpei War was a national civil war between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the late-Heian period of Japan. It resulted in the downfall of the Taira and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate under Minamoto no Yoritomo, who appointed himself as Shōgun in 1192
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In 1192, Minamoto no Yoritomo became Japan’s first powerful shogun. This marked the start of the Kamakura Shogunate and 700 years of shogun rule.
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Established Japan’s first military government (the Kamakura Shogunate), beginning the shogunate system.
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A new branch of Buddhism that influenced the samurai’s focus on discipline, simplicity, and meditation
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The samurai code of honour, loyalty, and self-discipline became central to samurai behaviour.
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Mongol forces attempted to invade Japan but were defeated, helped by typhoons called kamikaze (“divine winds”).
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Mongol forces attempted to invade Japan but were defeated, helped by typhoons called kamikaze (“divine winds”).
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Ashikaga Takauji took power after overthrowing the Kamakura government, starting the Muromachi Shogunate.
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The Muromachi period of feudal Japan lasted from around 1336 AD to 1573 AD, and was under the rule of the Muromachi shogunate. This period in Japan’s history was marked by a great deal of political unrest, but was also a time of significant cultural growth, particularly under the influence of Zen Buddhism.
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A civil war between powerful daimyō that plunged Japan into over a century of chaos and constant warfare.
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Christianity was introduced to Japan, bringing cultural exchange but later government suppression.
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Powerful warlord who began Japan’s unification using advanced weapons and strategy.
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it was a time when society became unified under the daimyō Oda Nobunaga. It was Nobunaga, along with his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, that was responsible for unifying all provinces in Japan under the control of the central government. The Azuchi Momoyama period was a time of flamboyance and luxury. During this time, the building of many substantial castles and mansions replaced the traditional temple architecture.
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Continued Nobunaga’s efforts, uniting Japan under one rule and enforcing strict social divisions.
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Toyotomi Hideyoshi died in 1598 AD and a man named, Tokugawa Ieyasu, came to power. Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed as the shogun by the emperor and became the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan
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Began the Tokugawa Shogunate, a long period of peace, order, and isolation lasting over 250 years.
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Japan closed itself off to almost all foreign contact, banning Christianity and limiting trade.
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Western nations forced Japan to open trade through treaties, leading to the fall of the shogunate and modernization.