Japanese History
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Paleolithic
- 35,000–14,000 BC
The Japanese Paleolithic period (旧石器時代, kyūsekki jidai) began around 50,000 to 30,000 BC, when the earliest stone tool implements have been found, and continued to around 14,000 BC, at the end of the last ice age, which corresponds to the beginning of the Mesolithic Jōmon period. The 35,000 BC date is most generally accepted[3]: any date of human presence before 30,000–35,000 BC is controversial, with artifacts supporting a pre–35,000 BC human presence on the archipelago still being of questionable authenticity.
The earliest human bones were discovered in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. Radiocarbon dating has shown that the fossils date back to around 14,000 - 18,000 years ago.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Japanese Paleolithic ]
Jōmon period
- 14,000–300 BC
The Jōmon period (縄文時代, Jōmon jidai) is the time in Japanese prehistory from about 14,000 BCE to 300 BCE.
The term Jōmon means "cord-patterned" in Japanese. This refers to the pottery style characteristic of the Jōmon culture, and which has markings made using sticks with cords wrapped around them. Recent DNA haplotype testing has found that the Jōmon are the genetic ancestors of the Ainu and partly of modern Japanese
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Jōmon period ]
Yayoi period
- 300 BC–250 AD
The Yayoi period (弥生時代, Yayoi jidai) is an era in the history of Japan traditionally dated 300 BC to 300 AD. It is named after the neighbourhood of Tokyo where archaeologists first uncovered artifacts and features from that era. Distinguishing characteristics of the Yayoi period include the appearance of new pottery styles and the start of intensive rice agriculture in paddy fields. The Yayoi followed the Jōmon period (14,000-300 BCE) and Yayoi culture flourished in a geographic area from southern Kyūshū to northern Honshū.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Yayoi period ]
Kofun period
- 250–538
The Kofun period (古墳時代, Kofun jidai) is an era in the history of Japan from around 250 to 538. It follows the Yayoi period. The word kofun is Japanese for the type of burial mounds dating from this era. The Kofun and the subsequent Asuka periods are sometimes referred to collectively as the Yamato period. The Kofun period is the oldest era of recorded history in Japan; as the chronology of its historical sources tends to be very distorted, studies of this period require deliberate criticism and the aid of archaeology.
The Kofun period is divided from the Asuka period by its cultural differences. The Kofun period is characterized by a Shinto culture that existed prior to the introduction of Buddhism. Politically, the leader of a powerful clan won control over much of west Honshū and the northern half of Kyūshū and eventually established the Imperial House of Japan.
Asuka period
- 538–710
The Asuka period (飛鳥時代, Asuka jidai), was a period in the history of Japan lasting from 538 to 710 (or 592-645), although its beginning could be said to overlap with the preceding Kofun period. The Yamato polity evolved much during the Asuka period, which is named after the Asuka region, about 25 km south of the modern city of Nara.
The Asuka period is also known for its significant artistic, social, and political transformations, having their origins in the late Kofun period, but largely affected by the arrival of Buddhism from Korea. The introduction of Buddhism has marked a change in Japanese society. The Asuka period is also distinguished by the change in the name of the country from Wa (倭) to Nihon (日本?).
Artistically, the period can be further divided into two periods, the Asuka period (up to the Taika Reforms), where early Buddhist culture imports and influences are seen from Northern Wei and Baekje, and Hakuh" period (after Taika Reform), in which more Sui and Tang influences appear.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Asuka period ]
Nara period
- 710–794
The Nara period (奈良時代, Nara jidai) of the history of Japan covers the years from AD 710 to 794. Empress Gemmei established the capital of Heij"-ky" (present-day Nara). Except for 5 years (740–745), when the capital was briefly moved again, it remained the capital of Japanese civilization until Emperor Kammu established a new capital, Nagaoka-ky", in 784 before moving to Heian-ky", or Kyoto, a decade later in 794.
Most of Japanese society during this period was agricultural in nature and centered around villages. Most of the villagers followed a religion based on the worship of natural and ancestral spirits called kami.
The capital at Nara was modeled after Chang'an (present-day Xi'an), the capital city of Tang China. In many other ways, the Japanese upper classes patterned themselves after the Chinese, including adopting Chinese written characters (Japanese: kanji), fashion, and the religion of Buddhism.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Nara period ]
Heian period
- 794–1185
The Heian period (平安時代, Heian jidai) is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-ky", or modern Ky"to. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height. The Heian period is also considered the peak of the Japanese imperial court and noted for its art, especially poetry and literature. Although the Imperial House of Japan had power on the surface, the real power was in the hands of the Fujiwara clan, a powerful aristocratic family who had intermarried with the Emperor of Japan. Heian (平安?) means "peace and tranquility" in Japanese. See also [ Nihon Koki ]
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Heian period ]
Kamakura period
- 1185–1333
The Kamakura period (鎌倉時代, Kamakura jidai, 1185–1333) is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo.
The Kamakura period ended in 1333 with the destruction of the shogunate and the short reestablishment of imperial rule under Emperor Go-Daigo by Ashikaga Takauji, Nitta Yoshisada, and Kusunoki Masashige.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Kamakura period ]
Kenmu restoration
- 1333–1336
The Kenmu (or Kemmu) restoration (建武の新政, Kenmu no shinsei) (1333–1336) is the name given to both the three year period of Japanese history between the Kamakura period and the Muromachi period, and the political events that took place in it. The restoration was an effort made by Emperor Go-Daigo to bring the Imperial House and the nobility it represented back into power, thus restoring a civilian government after almost a century and a half of military rule. The attempted restoration ultimately failed and was replaced by the Ashikaga shogunate (1336–1575). This was to be the last time the Emperor had any power until the Meiji restoration of 1867. The many and serious political errors made by the Imperial House during this three year period were to have important repercussions in the following decades and end with the rise to power of the Ashikaga dynasty
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Kenmu restoration ]
Muromachi period (Ashikaga)
- 1336–1573
The Muromachi period (室町時代, Muromachi jidai, also known as the Muromachi era, the Muromachi bakufu, the Ashikaga era, the Ashikaga period, or the Ashikaga bakufu) is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate, which was officially established in 1338 by the first Muromachi shogun, Ashikaga Takauji, two years after the brief Kemmu restoration (1333–1336) of imperial rule was brought to a close. The period ended in 1573 when the 15th and last shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki, was driven out of the capital in Kyoto by Oda Nobunaga.
From a cultural perspective, the period can be divided into the Kitayama and Higashiyama periods (later 15th - early 16th).
The early years from 1336 to 1392 of the Muromachi period are known as the Nanboku-ch" or Northern and Southern Court period. This period is marked by the continued resistance of the supporters of Emperor Go-Daigo, the emperor behind the Kemmu restoration. The years from 1465 to the end of the Muromachi period are also known as the Sengoku period or Warring States period.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Muromachi period ]
Nanboku-chō period
- 1336–1392
The Nanboku-chō period (南北朝時代, Nanboku-chō jidai, "South and North courts period", also known as the Northern and Southern Courts period), spanning from 1336 to 1392, was a period that occurred during the formative years of the Muromachi bakufu of Japan's history.
The Imperial seats during the Nanboku-ch" period were in relatively close proximity, but geographically distinct. They were conventionally identified as:
- Northern capital : Kyoto
- Southern capital : Yoshino.
During this period, there existed a Northern Imperial Court, established by Ashikaga Takauji in Kyoto, and a Southern Imperial Court, established by Emperor Go-Daigo in Yoshino.
Ideologically, the two courts fought for fifty years, with the South giving up to the North in 1392. However, in reality, the Northern line was under the power of the Ashikaga shoguns and had little real independence.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Nanboku-ch" period ]
Sengoku period
- 1467–1573
The Sengoku period (戦国時代, Sengoku jidai) or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference to the Warring States period in Chinese history (Sengoku jidai (戦国時代?) in Japanese) which preceded the unification of China. Likewise, the Sengoku period in Japan would eventually lead to the unification of political power under the Tokugawa shogunate.
Although the Ashikaga shogunate had retained the structure of the Kamakura bakufu and instituted a warrior government based on the same social-economic rights and obligations established by the H"j" with the J"ei Code in 1232, it failed to win the loyalty of many daimyo, especially those whose domains were far from Kyoto. As trade with China grew, the economy developed, and the use of money became widespread as markets and commercial cities appeared. This, combined with developments in agriculture and small-scale trading, led to the desire for greater local autonomy throughout all levels of the social hierarchy. As early as the beginning of the 15th century, suffering and misery caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes and famines often served to trigger armed uprisings by farmers weary of debt and taxes.
The Ōnin War (1467–1477), a conflict rooted in economic distress and brought on by a dispute over shogunal succession, is generally regarded as the onset of the Sengoku period. The "eastern" army of the Hosokawa family and its allies clashed with the "western" army of the Yamana, and fighting in and around Kyoto lasted for nearly 11 years, after which it spread to outlying provinces.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Sengoku period ]
Azuchi–Momoyama period
- 1568–1603
The Azuchi-Momoyama period (安土桃山時代, Azuchi-Momoyama jidai) came at the end of the Warring States Period in Japan, when the political unification that preceded the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate took place. It spans the years from approximately 1573 to 1603, during which time Oda Nobunaga and his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, imposed order upon the chaos that had pervaded since the collapse of the Ashikaga Shogunate. The name of this period is taken from Nobunaga's castle, Azuchi Castle, in the present-day town of Azuchi, Shiga Prefecture and Hideyoshi's castle, Momoyama Castle (also known as Fushimi Castle), in Kyoto.
Although a start date of 1573 is often given, in more broad terms, this period begins with Nobunaga's entry into Kyoto in 1568, when he led his army to the imperial capital in order to install Ashikaga Yoshiaki as the 15th, and ultimately final, shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate, and lasts until the coming to power of Tokugawa Ieyasu after his victory over supporters of the Toyotomi clan at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Azuchi–Momoyama period ]
Nanban trade
The Nanban trade (南蛮貿易, Nanban bōeki, "Southern barbarian trade") or the Nanban trade period (南蛮貿易時代, Nanban bōeki jidai), "Southern barbarian trade period") in Japanese history extends from the arrival of the first Europeans (Portuguese) to Japan in 1543, to their near-total exclusion from the archipelago in 1641, under the promulgation of the "Sakoku" Seclusion Edicts.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Nanban trade ]
Edo period
- 1603–1868
Main article: [[Edo period]]The Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai), or Tokugawa period (徳"時代, Tokugawa jidai), is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate.
The Tokugawa shogunate was officially established in Edo on 24 March 1603 by the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Tokugawa shogunate was overthrown by the Meiji Restoration on 3 May 1868, the fall of Edo, and the restoration of Tenno's rule at the reign of the fifteenth and last shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu.
- More information is available at [ [[Wikipedia:Edo period]] ]
Bakumatsu
Bakumatsu period (幕末, "End of the bakufu", "Late Tokugawa Shogunate") are the final years of the Edo period when the Tokugawa shogunate came to an end. It is characterized by major events occurring between 1853 and 1867 during which Japan ended its isolationist foreign policy known as sakoku and transitioned from a feudal shogunate to the Meiji government. The major ideological/political divide during this period was between the pro-imperialist ishin shishi (nationalist patriots) and the shogunate forces, including the elite Shinsengumi (newly selected corps) swordsmen.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Bakumatsu ]
Meiji period
- 1868–1912
The Meiji period, also known as the Meiji era (明治時代 (Meiji-jidai)), is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Meiji period ]
Meiji Restoration
On 3 February 1867, 15-year-old prince Mutsuhito succeeded his father, Emperor Kōmei, to the Chrysanthemum Throne as the 122nd emperor.
Imperial restoration occurred the next year on 3 January 1868 with the formation of the new government. The Tokugawa Shogunate was overthrown with the fall of Edo in the summer of 1868, and a new era called Meiji, meaning "enlightened rule", proclaimed.
The first reform was the promulgation of the Five Charter Oath in 1868, a general statement of the aims of the Meiji leaders to boost morale and win financial support for the new government. Its five provisions consisted of
- 1. Establishment of deliberative assemblies
- 2. Involvement of all classes in carrying out state affairs
- 3. The revocation of sumptuary laws and class restrictions on employment
- 4. Replacement of "evil customs" with the "just laws of nature" and
- 5. An international search for knowledge to strengthen the foundations of imperial rule.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Meiji Restoration ]
Taish" period
- 1912–1926
The Taishō period (大正時代, Taish" jidai, "period of great righteousness"), or Taish" era, is a period in the history of Japan dating from July 30, 1912, to December 25, 1926, coinciding with the reign of the Taish" Emperor. The health of the new emperor was weak, which prompted the shift in political power from the old oligarchic group of elder statesmen (or genr") to the Diet of Japan and the democratic parties. Thus, the era is considered the time of the liberal movement known as the "Taish" democracy" in Japan; it is usually distinguished from the preceding chaotic Meiji period and the following militarism-driven first part of the Shōwa.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Taish" period ]
Japan in World War I
Japan participated in World War I (第一次世界大戦, Daiichiji Sekai Taisen?) from 1914 to 1918 as one of the major Entente Powers and played an important role in securing the sea lanes in South Pacific and Indian Oceans against the German Kaiserliche Marine.
Politically, Japan seized the opportunity to expand its sphere of influence in China, and to gain recognition as a great power in postwar geopolitics
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Japan in World War I ]
Shōwa
- 1926–1989
The Shōwa (昭和時代, Shōwa jidai, literally "period of enlightened peace/harmony"), or Shōwar era, is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of the Shōwa Emperor, Hirohito, from December 25, 1926 through January 7, 1989.
The Shōwa was the longest reign of all the previous Japanese emperors. During the pre-1945 period, Japan descended into political totalitarianism, ultranationalism and fascism culminating in Japan's invasion of China in 1937. This was part of an overall global period of social upheavals and conflicts such as the Great Depression and the Second World War.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Shōwa ]
- Shōwa financial crisis
- Japanese militarism
- Occupation of Japan
- Post-occupation Japan
Heisei period
- 1989–present
Heisei era (平"?) is the current era name in Japan. The Heisei era started on 8 January 1989, the first day after the death of the reigning Emperor, Hirohito. His son, Akihito, succeeded to the throne. In accordance with Japanese customs, Hirohito was posthumously renamed "Emperor Shōwa" on 31 January, just as were his grandfather Mutsuhito (Emperor Meiji) and his father Yoshihito (Emperor Taishō).
Thus 1989 corresponds to Shōwa 64 up to the 7th day of the first month (7 January) and to Heisei 1 (平"元年, Heisei gannen?, gannen means "first year") since the 8th day of the first month (8 January). This year, 2011, is Heisei 23. A quick way to convert the current year to Heisei is to take the last two digits and add 12. Example for 2011: 11+12 = Heisei 23. {[wr|Heisei period}}
Lost Decade
The Lost Decade (失われた十年, Ushinawareta Jūnen) is the time after the Japanese asset price bubble's collapse within the Japanese economy, which occurred gradually rather than catastrophically. The term originally referred to the years 1991 to 2000,[1] but recently the decade from 2001 to 2010 is also sometimes included, so that the whole period of the 1990s and 2000s is referred to as the Lost Decades or the Lost Years (失"れ"�20年, Ushinawareta Nijūnen).
The strong economic growth of the 1980s ended abruptly at the start of the 1990s. In the late 1980s, abnormalities within the Japanese economic system had fueled a massive wave of speculation by Japanese companies, banks, and securities companies. A combination of exceptionally high land values and exceptionally low interest rates briefly led to a position in which credit was both easily available and extremely cheap. This led to massive borrowing, the proceeds of which were invested mostly in domestic and foreign stocks and securities.
Recognizing that this bubble was unsustainable, the Finance Ministry sharply raised interest rates in late 1989. This abruptly terminated the bubble, leading to a massive crash in the stock market. It also led to a debt crisis; a large proportion of the debts that had been run up turned bad, which in turn led to a crisis in the banking sector, with many banks being bailed out by the government. {[wr|Lost Decade (Japan)}}
Empire of Japan (prewar)
- 1868–1945 (political entity)
State of Japan (postwar)
- 1945–present (political entity
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