Edo castle compound imperial palace tokyo

Timeline of Key Events in Shogun Japan

By Student_F
  • Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes the first Shogun
    1185

    Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes the first Shogun

    Yoritomo established Japan’s first military government and began the shogunate system.
  • Introduction of Zen Buddhism
    1200

    Introduction of Zen Buddhism

    A new branch of Buddhism that influenced the samurai’s focus on discipline and meditation.
  • First Mongol Invasion of Japan
    1274

    First Mongol Invasion of Japan

    Mongol forces tried to invade Japan but were defeated, partly due to “divine winds.”
  • Second Mongol Invasion of Japan
    1281

    Second Mongol Invasion of Japan

    A much larger invasion fleet was sent, but the Japanese fought back strongly. Another powerful typhoon hit and destroyed many ships which ended the invasion.
  • Ashikaga Shogunate Begins
    1336

    Ashikaga Shogunate Begins

    Ashikaga Takauji took power, marking a new shogunate after the fall of Kamakura rule.