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Japanese Culture

By JasmineKellyUoP
  • Period: 8000 BCE to 300 BCE

    Jomon Culture

    These are the Old Stone Age people of Japan. They were hunter-gatherers and existed in smaller groups that were somewhat nomadic. They are credited with creating the first known pottery vessels depicting deities among other things
  • Period: 300 BCE to 300

    Yayoi Culture

    Strongly influenced by Korean culture, this era saw the iron, bronze, and agricultural revolutions occur simultaneously.
  • Period: 300 to Jan 1, 680

    Tomb Culture and the Yamato State

    The tomb mounds were a feature unique to this era, and they functioned similarly to the pyramids. The Yamato State is named for the region in which it existed. Relations with Korea were still vital to the continued rule of Japan at that time, and many Korean immigrants established noble families within the Yamato court.
  • Period: Jan 1, 680 to Jan 1, 850

    Chinese Tang Influence on Nara and Heian Japan

    The second major shift in Japanese culture due to the strong influence of Chinese civilization. Japan studied, implemented, and, later, modified Chinese innovations and institutions to fit the needs of Japan. These included art, technology, writing, Buddhism, the legal and governmental structures, and even such things as dress and style.
  • Period: Apr 25, 1160 to Apr 26, 1180

    Taira rule in Kyoto

    Taira Kiyomori seized rule of Kyoto, but there were other areas stull controlled by rival groups. Taira embraced the elegant lifestyle of the Kyoto court but failed to really secure power and control. Minamoto Yoritomo eventually defeated Taira.
  • Period: Apr 25, 1185 to Apr 26, 1333

    Kamakura bakufu founded

    By Minamoto Yoritomo. Unlike Taira, his victory was national since he sent his armies throughout Japan. The bakufu was a simpler, more practical organization consisting of three main tasks for his vassals: dealing with the samurai, administering and executing policy, and hearing legal suits.
  • Apr 25, 1232

    Joei Code

    Joei Code
    The body of customary law compiled by under Yorimoto by his bakufu.
  • Apr 25, 1274

    First Mongol Invasion

    First Mongol Invasion
    The Mongols sent a force of 30,000 men and enjoyed some initial victories in Japan before withdrawing
  • Apr 25, 1281

    Second Mongol Invasion

    Second Mongol Invasion
    The Mongols sent an overwhelmingly large force of 130,000 troops in an amphibious attack. The battle was ended suddenly when kamikaze winds sank a portion of the Mongol ships forcing the remainder to withdraw. The death of Kublai Khan in 1294 ended any chance for a third invasion.
  • Period: Apr 25, 1336 to Apr 26, 1467

    Ashikaga bakufu

    Ashikaga Takauji established a new organizational structure for government and culture following the upheaval between 1331 and 1336. There were several semiautonomous regional states throughout Japan ruled by daimyos, in addition to the bakufu in Kyoto. His vassals staffed four main offices--a samurai office, administration office, documents office, and a judicial board. Outlying area had diverse ruling patterns. The arrangement led to many, practically, independent regions within Japan.
  • Period: Apr 25, 1336 to Apr 26, 1392

    Southern Court

    This consisted of 4 emperors all claiming legitimate sovereignty--a major consequence of the new Ashikaga bakufu. The Southern court was soundly defeated by the Northern court in 1392, meaning all future emperors would come from the Northern court line.
  • Apr 25, 1467

    Sengoku period begins

    Sengoku period begins
    The warring states of Japan were the result of the weak Ashikaga shogunate and the nearly 260 daimyos fighting for dominance over one another. This period is marked by constant warfare across Japan. The Onin War was fought from 1467 to 1477, ending when three heroes emerged: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. These three would work to reunite Japan under one powerful house.