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Begining on Kamkura Shogun
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The rival Taira clan is defeated at sea at the Battle of Dan-no-ura by Yoritomo's brother Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
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The Todaiji temple at Nara, Japan, is restored by the Minamoto clan.
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The position of vice-regent to the shogun (rensho) is created in Japan.
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A new law code, the Joei Code (Joei shikimoku), is established in Japan.
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A High Court, the Hikitsukeshu, is formed in Japan.
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The first invasion of Japan by the Mongol ruler Kublai Khan fails.
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The second invasion of Japan by the Mongol ruler/Yuan dynasty emperor Kublai Khan fails.
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Nitta Yoshisada attacks and destroys Kamakura, capital of Japan's Kamakura Shogunate.
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The Kenmu Restoration when the Japanese emperor Go-Daigo uses rebel warlords to oust the Kamakura Shogunate.
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Muromachi Shogun begins
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Ashikaga Takauji defeats Emperor Go-Daigo's chief ally Yoshisada at the battle of Minatogawa near Kobe.
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Japan has two competing emperors: the 'Northern and Southern Courts.
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The Kinkakuji or 'Golden Pavilion' is built in Heiankyo (Kyoto) by the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
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Japan joins the tribute system of China's Ming Dynasty.
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Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion) is built in Heiankyo (Kytoto) Japan by Ashikaga Yoshimasa.
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The Onin War between rival warlords rages in Japan.
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Ashikaga Yoshitane rules in his first spell as shogun of Japan.
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Ashikaga Yoshitane rules in his second spell as shogun of Japan.
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The first European contact is made with Japan when three Portuguese traders have their ship blown onto the shores of southern Kyushu.
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Japan's shogun Ashikaga Takauji battles his brother Tadayoshi.
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Tokugawa Ieyasu appoints himself shogun, formalizing Edo as the new capital from Kyoto.
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Tokugawa Ieyasu dies, transferring power to his sons.
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Women banned from the kabuki stage. Kabuki actors were often the subject of Japanese woodblock prints.
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Policy of Japanese national seclusion established. Only Nagasaki Island is open, and only to traders from the Netherlands.
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The first coloured woodblock prints appear.
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Edo has a population of 1 million people.
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Suzuki Harunobu invents Nishiki-e, “brocade pictures,” or woodblock printing in many colours.
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Peasant uprising against merchants and officials in the city of Osaka.
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British and French ships visit Nagasaki and request commercial relations with Japan. Their requests are denied.
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U.S. warships commanded by Matthew Perry enter Japanese waters. The country’s isolationist policy begins to unravel.
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Treaty of Kanagawa opens Japanese ports to U.S. ships.