Timeline of Japan

Chronology

35 events spanning the history of Japan. BCE/CE dating.

1. 300 BCE – 300

   YAYOI

   Rice cultivation, metalworking, and the potter’s wheel are introduced from China and Korea. Era named “Yayoi” after the place in Tokyo where wheel-turned pottery was found. In Shinto, Japan’s oldest religion, people identify kami (divine forces) in nature and in such human virtues as loyalty and wisdom. 100-300: Local clans form small political units.

2. 300 – 645

   KOFUN (YAMATO)

   Unified state begins with emergence of powerful clan rulers; Japan establishes close contacts with mainland Asia. Clan rulers are buried in kofun (large tomb mounds), surrounded by haniwa (clay sculptures). Yamato clan rulers, claiming descent from Amaterasu Omikami, begin the imperial dynasty that continues to occupy the throne today. Japan adopts Chinese written characters. Shotoku Taishi (574-622) begins to shape Japanese society and government more after the pattern of China. He seeks centralization of government and a bureaucracy of merit. He also calls for reverence for Buddhism and the Confucian virtues.

3. 645 – 710

   ASUKA

   A great wave of reforms called the Taika no Kaishin (Taika Reforms) aims to strengthen the emperor’s power. New aristocratic families are created. Especially powerful is that of Fujiwara no Kamatari, who helped push the reforms.

4. 710 – 794

   NARA

   Imperial court builds new capital, modeled upon Chang-an in China, at Nara. Though emperors are Shinto chiefs, they patronize Buddhism in the belief that its teachings will bring about a peaceful society and protect the state. Legends surrounding the founding of Japan are compiled as history in the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon shoki (Chronicle of Japan). With the adoption of Buddhism as the state religion, its monasteries gain political power.

5. 794 – 1185

   HEIAN

   Imperial court moves to Heiankyo (now Kyoto) to escape domination of Nara’s Buddhist establishment. Official contacts with China stop in 838. Buddhism, in combination with native Shinto beliefs, continues to flourish. Flowering of classical Japanese culture aided by invention of kana (syllabary for writing Japanese language). Court women produce the best of era’s literature. Murasaki Shikibu’s Tale of Genji (ca. 1002) is the world’s first novel. Court undergoes decline of power with rise of provincial bushi (warrior class).

6. 1191

   The Zen sect is introduced.

   The Zen sect is introduced.

7. 1192 – 1333

   KAMAKURA

   Kamakura became the political center of Japan, when Minamoto Yoritomo chose the city as the seat of his new military government. The Kamakura government continued to rule Japan for over a century, first under the Minamoto shogun and then under the Hojo regents.

8. 1274

   The Mongols try to invade Japan twice

   1274 and 1281 The Mongols try to invade Japan twice, but fail mainly because of bad weather conditions.

9. 1333 – 1568

   MUROMACHI

   Muromachi district of Kyoto becomes base for Shogun Ashikaga Takauji’s new military government. Takauji and his successors become patrons of Zen and spontaneity in ink painting, garden design, and the chanoyu (tea ceremony).

10. 1467 – 1568

    The 10 year-long Onin no Ran (Onin War)

    The 10 year-long Onin no Ran (Onin War) brings disintegration of central government, followed by the Sengoku Jidai (Era of the Country at War).