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Period: 710 to 794
The Nara Period
The capital is located in Nara, a small town close to Kyoto, and a number of large Buddhist temples are built to protect the emperor. A time of close ties with China. -
Period: 793 to 1185
The Heian or "Classical" Period
A time of rapid cultural change strongly influenced by China, led from modern-day Kyoto -
Period: 1185 to
Feudal Period - After Genpai War
Japan is dominated by powerful military families, and the arts are highly decorated in style -
Period: 1185 to 1333
Kamakura Period
In the Kamakura Period, Minamoto no Yoritomo creates the first 'warrior government' or shogunate in 1193. The Minamoto family rules from Kamakura, a coastal town of Japan not far from modern-day Tokyo -
Period: 1336 to 1573
Muromachi Period
In the Muromachi Period, the Ashikaga clan rules as the shoguns. They move the capital to Kyoto in the Muromachi district.