A Chronology of Japanese History

Legends and archacological remains suggest that disparate races were fused in prehistoric times. The first emperor, Jimmu, came to the throne about 660 B.C.

c.400: Introduction of Chinese learning to Japan.

552: Buddhism imported from Korea. Clan warfare.

645: Overthrow of the Soga clan by the first of the Fujiwara, a family which virtually ruled Japan for centuries by controlling the hereditary line of emperors.

710-784: The Nara Period. First permanent capital at Nara. Compilation of legendary histories such as the Kojiki and Nihonshoki. Flowering of literature, including the Manyoshu poetry collection. Buddhist sculpture and rise of painting.

794-1185: The Heian Period. Capital moved to Kyoto. Art and literature flourished. The Tale of Genji written by Lady Murasaki about 1000. Struggles among feudal clans, later immortalized in Noh and Kabuki plays.

1185-1333: The Kamakura Period. Continuing struggles for power among rival feudal lords and their knights. Emperors dominated by these Shoguns (generalissimos). Invading Mongol Armada, sent by Kubla Khan, destroyed by typhoon in 1281.

1333-1568: The Muromachi Period. Ashikaga family Shoguns in power at Kyoto and great art patrons. Monochrome ink-wash in painting. Noh dramas. Constant civil wars. Trade with the West opened by Portuguese in 1542. St. Francis Xavier brought Christianity in 1549.

1582-1600: The Momoyama Period. Hideyoshi unified Japan then tried to annex Korea. Kyoto destroyed in civil wars and rebuilt. A new, florid style in art.

1600-1867: The Edo Period. Tokugawa family Shoguns with capital at Edo (now Tokyo). Outlying regions ruled by feudal Daimyo lords. Samurai warriors became a fixed aristocracy. Commerce with Western traders until all but Dutch expelled in 1640, Rising merchant class held down politically. Christianity suppressed; Confucianism encouraged. Another great age of literature and art. Kabuki drama flourishing. Ukiyo-e wood-block print books. Hiroshige and Hokusai, great artists.

1853: Commodore Perry’s visit; reopening of trade.

1868-1912: The Meiji Period. Emperors take back control from Shoguns and power from Daimyos and undertake modernization of Japan along Western lines. Emphasis on education. Extensive social reforms culminating in Meiji Constitution and first Diet in 1890. Sino-Japanese War in 1894-95. Russo-Japanese War in 1904-05. Korea annexed in 1910. Building up of navy.

1912-26: The Taisho Period. A liberal era with party governments in power. “Proletarian movement” in literature. Despite strong German influence in Meiji Period. Japan sided with the Allies in First World War. Earthquake destroyed Tokyo in 1923.

1926-40: Liberal elements outmaneuvered by those favoring imperialist expansion into Asia. Japan moved into Manchuria in 1931 and war with China began in 1937. Orderly party government gave way to virtual military dictatorships. Japanese troops entered IndoChina and alliance with Germany and Italy in 1940.

1941-45: World War II. Japanese overran most of Southeast Asia, but were finally defeated.

1945-52: Allied Occupation of Japan. Attempt to “democratize” Japan largely successful. Restoration of party government and suppression of militarism. Economic recovery. Korean War began in 1950.