Timeline of Japanese History - Ancient Japan

Pre-300BC (Jomon Period): Hunter-gatherer society

300BC-AD300 (Yayoi Period): Strong Chinese influence, use of iron and bronze tools, introduction of rice farming

AD300-600 (Kofun Period): Strong Korean and Chinese influence, first central organisation of society, introduction of Buddhist religion, introduction of writing

Timeline of Japanese History - Early Japan

AD600-710 (Asuka Period): the “Great Change” - ruled by emperor and appointed officials, all land is property of emperor, new tax system, new system of law, power held centrally by the emperor

AD710-794 (Nara Period): First permanent capital built at Nara, continued refinement of culture and society

AD794-1185 (Heian Period): new capital built at Kyoto, development of culture and high arts, emperors lose touch and daimyo begin to gain control, rise of Fujiwara family

Timeline of Japanese History - Traditional Japan

AD1185-1333 (Kamakura Period): rise of samurai class, first Shogun created, failure of Mongol invasion, period ends in civil war.

AD1333-1573 (Ashikaga Shoguns): Ashikaga family as shoguns, trade with neighbours and contact with Europe, period ends with long civil war, loss of power by shoguns and rise of the daimyo.

AD1573-1603 (Unification): Japan unified by Nobunaga and Toyotomi, Japanese society reformed.

Timeline of Japanese History - Tokugawa Japan

AD1603-1867 (Tokugawa Shoguns):

• Tokugawa family as shoguns

• restructuring of society

• all contact with outside world banned

• art and culture develop

• rise of merchant class and increasing poverty of samurai

• increased dissatisfaction with government by the end of the period

• Japan forced to open up to the rest of the world