Shogun Japan Timeline

Rise of the Samurai class

Period: 794 to 1185

Samurai became the dominant warrior class, holding power and social prestige

Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes the first shogun

1192

Established Japan’s first military government and began the shogunate system.

The first Mongol Invasion of Japan

1274

The Mongol try to invade Japan but fail.

The second Mongol Invasion of Japan

1281

The Mongol try to invade Japan again but fail. (Again.)

Ashikaga Shogunate begins

1338

Ashikaga Takauji took power, marking a new shogunate after the fall of Kamakura rule. This marked the beginning of the Muromachi period

Onin War and the start of the Sengoku Period

1467

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

Arrival of Christian missionaries (Francis Xavier)

1549

Christianity was introduced to Japan. Christianity was later suppressed in Japan because it wasn't 'Japanese' enough.

Oda Nobunaga unifies much of Japan

Period: 1568 to 1582

Oda Nobunaga was unable to complete all the unification because he was assassinated. This work was finished by his successor.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi completes Japan’s unification

1588

Toyotomi Hideyoshi completes his fathers work.

Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes Shogun

1603

This marked the beginning of the Tokugawa Shogunate, a time of isolation. This was also the start of the Edo period.

Bushido code becomes central to samurai life

Period: 1603 to 1868

The Bushido code is the samurai code of honor and loyalty guided behavior and social expectations. The Bushido code became central for the samurai's life during the Edo period.

Sakoku – Japan’s isolation policy

Period: 1639 to 1854

This was when Japan was isolated from foreign relations.

Opening of Japan (end of isolation)

1853

The opening of Japan was mostly forced by the US and ended up opening to trade with many other western countries.