Feudal Japan

The first Shogunate

1192

In 1192, Minamoto Yoritomo was appointed as a shogun, and he established Japan's first military government, called the Kamakura shogunate. It possessed military, administrative, and judicial functions. There were three shogunates that led Japan up until the 19th century.

Assassination of Noriyori

1193

Yoritomo was a famous samurai, and had a brother named Noriyori. Noriyori served for his brother’s army many times, but there was one instance where Yoritomo doubted his brother’s loyalty. So, he spread a rumor around that he was dead, and when Noriyori then went to his wife to comfort her, Yoritomo killed him on the spot.

Mongol Invasion

1274

This was the first of two Mongol invasions of the Japanese. The Japanese Samurais vigorously defended the Japanese shores, but it was ultimately the winds and typhoons that saved them from conquest. These ships were from Korea and China, and the victory held high status in Japan for many years after.

Natural Disasters

1293

In a large coastal city, founded by Minamoto Yoritomo, there was a large earthquake and tsunami. These natural disasters killed over 20,000 people in the area. It created much damage and economic distress in Kamakura, but the peacefulness prospered in this city, and the period.

The Kemmu restoration

1333

Retired emperor Go Uda made the decision to dissolve the office of retired emperors, which left power entirely in the hands of one emperor. The emperor at the time was Go-Diago, and he tried to make plans to overthrow the bakufu , but was discovered. Later that year, the powerful Yoshisada family carried out his plans, and the bakufu was destroyed.

Capture of Kyoto

1336

Ashikaga Takauji captures the major city of Kyoto in order to achieve a dominant position. This ends Emperor Go-Diago’s attempt to restore imperial rule. This city was important because it was the old capital of Japan, and many shoguns wanted control of it.

The building of Ryoanji

1450

Ryoanji is a Buhhdist temple located in north Kyoto, Japan. It was built by a powerful warlord named Hosokawa Katsumoto. It was destroyed during the Onin War, but was rebuilt by his son, Hosokawa Masamoto. The temple was a great zen center for many Japanese cultural activities, and was very important to their heritage.

Onin War

1467

This was a civil war that started in 1467, caused by economic distress and a land dispute. There was also fighting between families, and who should get to succeed shogun Yoshimasa, which made many people in these areas try to leave the fighting and move to larger cities. This contributed to the growth of other areas in Japan, and the war finally ended in 1477.

Introduction of Firearms

1543

In 1543, a shipwrecked group of Portuguese adventurers introduced firearms to Japan, greatly impacting all warfare from that point forward. They were found on the shore of Tanegashima, and greatly impacted the internal conflict already going on. This began the strong manufacture of firearms in Japan, and intense development followed.

Arrival of Saint Francis Xavier

1549

In 1549, Saint Francis Xavier arrived in Hirado, Japan, where he was doing missionary work for many years. He was the key role for the early spread of Christianity in Japan. He converted many Japanese to Christianity, and this stayed a main religion there for many years after he left.

Battle of Miyajima

1555

This was a civil war that took place on the sacred island of Miyajima. It is also known as “Itsukushina Kassen”, and it is one of Japan’s most famous sneak attacks. The entire island is a shinto shrine, and no birth or death is allowed on it. This is why the battle was so bad, because many believed bad things would come due to the deaths.

Battle of Okehazama

1559

This battle was a pivotal clash in Japan’s warring states, as well as a major turning point for 27 year old general Oda Nobunaga. He was one of the greatest heroes of the Sengoku period, and the numbers that his army had was a tenth of what the other army had, and it was still a great victory. This weakened the powerful Imagawa clan, which would eventually be destroyed in later years.

Battle of Anegawa

1570

This battle happened near Lake Biwa in Omi Province, between Oda Nobunaga and the Azai and Asakura clans. It was a battle where the importance of firearms is seen greatly, and one of the first major alliances. Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated the Azai and Asakura clans, in a major victory.

Battle of Nagashino

1575

There was a decisive battle fought on June 29, 1575, at Nagashino in Mikawa province. The Takeda army laid siege to Nagashino for weeks, and they eventually surrendered. It was the first modern Japanese battle because of the use of firearms.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi takes control of the country

1582

Oda Nobunaga was about to unify Japan, but then he was betrayed by his deputy, Akechi. He was very dangerous, and would have ruined all of Nobunaga’s work, but Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated Akechi in battle. After the victory, Hideyoshi completed Nobunaga’s task, unifying Japan.

Unsuccessful invasion of Korea

1592

In 1592, under general Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Japanese forces attempted twice to invade Korea, but were unsuccessful both times. Their goal with this invasion was to get an upper hand on the mainland, and eventually get to China. These invasions took place from 1592-1598, and they were defeated due to Korea’s naval presence, their guerilla warfare, and the death of general Hideyoshi.

Hideyoshi Dies

1598

Hideyoshi had conquered all of Japan, and had been on his way to other countries when he died. All of his armies were taken out of Korea and China, and he died without the success of taking these places over. His legacy stayed on for many years throughout the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Battle of Sekigahara

1599

This was one of the biggest battles in feudal Japan, and one of the most important. The battle happened in Gifu Prefecture, and was fought between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Ishida Mitsunari. Mitsunari and his army won, and it is considered to be the beginning of the Towugara Shogunate.

Beginning of the Edo Period

1600

Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun after the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This was a time of peace, great prosperity, political stability, and economic growth. It was also the last period of traditional Japan, and this period lasted for over 200 years in Japan.

Meiji Restoration

1603

The meiji restoration was a political revolution in 1603, and it brought down the Tokugawa shogunate. An emperor by the name of Meiji took over, which allowed the position back its supreme power. The restoration also brought about the modernization of Japan.