Political Changes In Postclassical Japan

Political Changes in Postclassical Japan

Period: 500 to Dec 31, 1500

Throughout the Postclassical Period, there were multiple events that altered the political structure of Japan, affecting the amount of power that certain groups possessed. Although Japan remained an empire during this time period, for the majority of this era, true political power did not rest in the hands of the emperor.

The Taika Reforms

Jan 1, 646

The emperor introduced these reforms to attempt to integrate as much Chinese government into Japan as possible. This was significant because it allowed the Chinese to extensively influence the Japanese government. This affected Japan's politics because it gave Chinese monks power in the government.

A New Capital

Jan 1, 794

Emperor Kammu established a new Japanese capital in Heian, which was later named Kyoto. This was significant because the capital didn't allow Buddhists to build monasteries in it. It affected Japanese politics because it allowed the Japanese government to be more independent.

The Fujiwara Gain Power

Jan 1, 850

In the mid-9th century, stacked the upper administration with members of their family to gain power. This was significant because these actions changed the flow of Japanese power. It affected the politics of Japan because the emperor lost power while the aristocrats gained it.

The Rise of the Provincial Warrior Elites

Jan 1, 1000

With the growing power of the aristocrats, they began to require bushi, or warrior leaders who supervised public works and administered law. This was significant because these local lords gained power by building large militaries. There were still emperors, and they were still the "leaders" of the empire, but the lords had most of the power.

The Tairas and the Minamotos

Jan 1, 1150

By the mid 12th century, the Tairas and the Minamotos, the two largest provincial families entered open warfare. This was significant because it was the deciding factor of who would gain power over Japan. It affected the politics of Japan because each family was trying to gain more power than the other by making alliances with other families and placing their own family members into the imperial court.

The Destruction of the Tairas

Jan 1, 1185

After 5 years of battle, the Minamotos emerged victorious. This was significant because it removed the threat of the Tairas from the lives of the Minamotos It affected the politics of Japan because the Minamotos were the sole influences of the government.

Yorimoto

Jan 1, 1200

Yorimoto was the leader of the Minamotos. He was significant because he trusted no one, and murdered/ exiled most of his family members. It affected the politics of Japan because it weakened the Minamoto family.

The Asikaga Shogunate

Jan 1, 1336

After the Kamakuras were weakened, Ashikaga Takuaji led a revolt and overthrew the Kamakura regime. This was significant because the Kamakura's lost all of their power and the Ashikaga Shogunate gained it. This affected politics in Japan because the Ashikaga regime chased the emperor out of Kyoto and he was left in exile in Yoshino.

The Transformation of Warfare

Jan 1, 1400

Throughout the 15th and 16th century, the ways of Japanese warfare were altered. This was significant because the Japanese began relying on large peasant armies instead of one-on-one samurai combat. This affected the politics in Japan because it caused the peasants to be poorly fed and angry, which led them to revolt multiple times

Civil War

Jan 1, 1467

From 1467 to 1477, rivals of the Ashikaga waged war agains the Ashikaga. This was significant because the Ashikagas were removed from power. It affected the politics of Japan by splitting it into almost 300 separate kingdoms.