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150
Shintoism is the National Religion
Shintoism becomes the national religion. Shinto doesn't have a founder. "Shinto Gods" are known as kami. They are sacred spirits which take the form of things important to live, such as rivers, winds, mountains, trees and rain. The sun goddess is considered Shinto's most important kami. Shinto shrines are the place of worship and the homes of the kami. The emeperor, Hirohito, was in charge of performing Shinto rituals and symbolic ceremonies. -
200
The Invention of Sushi
Sushi was invented and it has been very popular in Japan and China. Many different types of sushi have been created that consists of seasoned rice and raw meat. Not all sushi has raw meat, some have just vegetables. -
500
Japan Adopts the Chinese Alphabet
Japan adopts the chinese alphabet. During the Tang dynasty, Chinese writing began to migrate into Japan. Early Japanese writings are written in Chinese. To be able to write in Medieval Japan, you basically needed to be able to read and write in Chinese. -
Jan 1, 600
Soga Dynasty
The Soga Dynasty takes the throne and they move the capital city of Japan to their homeland in the Asuka Valley. And the term "shinto" is introduced to differentiate the native religion from Buddhism and Confucianism. -
Jan 1, 710
Capital is Moved
Japans capital is moved from Asuka to Nara because Shokoto is succeeded by Kotoku Tenno, who strengthened emperial power. -
Jan 1, 1549
Christianity in Japan
This is when Christianity first came about in Japan. Portuguese catholics came to Japan and thats how it came to be. It is a minority religion with about less the 1% of the Japanese population. -
Commodore Perry Forced Trade with Japan
Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Japan on July 8, 1853 in search of a Japanese Trade Treaty. He had threatend the Japanese that if their boats did not move away from them, they would fight and that he would win. So, then the Japanese accepted the letter and Perry left and returned home to wait for the reply. Perry returned to Japan in February with twice as many ships and was ready to sign the treaty. He then signed the treaty on March 31, 1854. -
Japan Joins the Allied Forces in World War 1
The Japanese Governemt received a request from the British Government asking them for help in destroying the Germans around Chinese waters. On August 14, 1914, Japan sent Germany an ultimatum, but Germany never replied. So, on August 23, 1914 Japan declared war on Germany and therefor joined the allied forces. -
Japan and China go to War
Japan and China went to war in 1937. By the end of the year, Japan had captured Shanghai, Beijing and Nanjing. During that time, the "Nanking Massacre" occurred there. This was a mass murder and war rape when Japan captured the city of Nanjing. During this time, hundreds of thousands of civilians were murdered and 20,000-80,000 women were raped by the soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army. -
Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
Japan made a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack was to prevent the U.S from interfering with military actions that Japan was planning in Asia12 ships sunk, 9 damanged, 188 aircrafts were destroyed and about 2,500 people were killed. Then, the Unied States and the main allies declared war on Japan the following day. -
Earthquake Hits Japan
A Massive earthquake hit Japan on March 11 on the east coast. It was one of the largest earthquakes in history and it triggered a 23-foot tsunami that killed hundreds. It swept away buildings, cars, crops, people, and debris.
