Firearms introduced by shipwrecked Portuguese soldiers (1543),Christianity by Francis Xavier (1549).ĪZUCHIMOMOYA MA (1568 -1600) Oda Nobunaga starts process of reunifying Japan after a century of civil war he is followed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598). Takauji and his successors become patrons of Zen and spontaneity in ink painting, garden design, and the chanoyu (tea ceremony).ġ467-1568: The 10 year-long Onin no Ran (Onin War) brings disintegration of central government, followed by the Sengoku Jidai (Era of the Country at War). MUROMACHI (1333 -1568) Muromachi district of Kyoto becomes base for Shogun Ashikaga Takauji's new military government. Defense against these invasions weakens structure of the military government at Kamakura. Bushi become new ruling class.ġ274, 1281: Kublai Khan's Mongol invasions are repelled with help of kamikaze ("divine winds," or storms). Emperor, as figurehead, remains in Kyoto with the court aristocracy.ġ192: Imperial court confers on Yoritomo the title of seii taishogun ("barbarian-subduing generalissimo"). KAMAKURA (185-1333) Military government established in Kamakura by Minamoto no Yoritomo. Court undergoes decline of power with rise of provincial bushi (warrior class). Court women produce the best of era's literature. Flowering of classical Japanese culture aided by invention of kana (syllabary for writing Japanese language). Official contacts with China stop in 838.īuddhism, in combination with native Shinto beliefs, continues to flourish. HEIAN (794-1185) Imperial court moves to Heiankyo (now Kyoto) to escape domination of Nara's Buddhist establishment. With the adoption of Buddhism as the state religion, its monasteries gain political power. Legends surrounding the founding of Japan are compiled as history in the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon shoki (Chronicle of Japan). Though emperors are Shinto chiefs, they patronize Buddhism in the belief that its teachings will bring about a peaceful society and protect the state. NARA (710 - 794) Imperial court builds new capital, modeled upon Chang-an in China, at Nara. Especially powerful is that of Fujiwara no Kamatari, who helped push the reforms. He also calls for reverence for Buddhism and the Confucian virtues.ĪSUKA (645 -710) A great wave of reforms called the Taika no Kaishin (Taika Reforms) aims to strengthen the emperor's power. He seeks centralization of government and a bureaucracy of merit. Shotoku Taishi (574-622) begins to shape Japanese society and government more after the pattern of China. Yamato clan rulers, claiming descent from Amaterasu Omikami, begin the imperial dynasty that continues to occupy the throne today. KOFUN (YAMATO) (300 - 645) Unified state begins with emergence of powerful clan rulers Japan establishes close contacts with mainland Asia.Ĭlan rulers are buried in kofun (large tomb mounds), surrounded by haniwa (clay sculptures). 100-300: Local clans form small political units. In Shinto, Japan's oldest religion, people identify kami (divine forces) in nature and in such human virtues as loyalty and wisdom. Era named "Yayoi" after the place in Tokyo where wheel-turned pottery was found. 300) Rice cultivation, metalworking, and the potter's wheel are introduced from China and Korea. Mythological Jimmu ("Divine Warrior"), descendant of sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, founds empire. Stone Age hunters and gatherers who make jomon (rope-patterned) pottery inhabit Japan. JOMON (10,000 - 300 B.C.) Prehistoric period of tribal/clan organization. Notice how long the prehistorical era was compared to other periods. Some developments emerged over a period of years, and precise dates for events before A.D.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |