Japanese HistoryJapanese History

By Jessica R. and Taryn W.By Jessica R. and Taryn W.

First appearance of Japan in First appearance of Japan in HistoryHistory

Japan was first mentioned in history by the Japan was first mentioned in history by the Chinese, in 57AD.Chinese, in 57AD.

The Japanese were referred to as the “Wa” The Japanese were referred to as the “Wa” people by the Chinesepeople by the Chinese

The Chinese described them as a people The Chinese described them as a people living without a writing system or political living without a writing system or political cohesioncohesion

China greatly influenced their culture, China greatly influenced their culture, bringing them Buddhism, government, and bringing them Buddhism, government, and a basic system of writing.a basic system of writing.

Korea also brought some cultural influenceKorea also brought some cultural influence

Prehistoric JapanPrehistoric JapanEvidence has been found of Evidence has been found of

people living in Japan since just people living in Japan since just after the first ice age, in the form after the first ice age, in the form

of tools that are up to 32,000 of tools that are up to 32,000 years old.years old.

Ainu-the Native People of Ainu-the Native People of JapanJapan

The Ainu are the first known people The Ainu are the first known people to have inhabited Japanto have inhabited Japan

They are said to have originated on They are said to have originated on HokkaidoHokkaido

They were mainly hunters, fishers, They were mainly hunters, fishers, and gatherersand gatherers

Full blooded ainu people are mostly Full blooded ainu people are mostly fair skinned, the men having dense fair skinned, the men having dense hair growthhair growth

Ainu PeopleAinu People

Jomon Period (13000BC to 300 Jomon Period (13000BC to 300 BC)BC)

During this period the Japanese were During this period the Japanese were hunters and gatherers, mainly.hunters and gatherers, mainly.

This era was named after the pottery This era was named after the pottery style of the timestyle of the time

Some lived in wood stilt houses or pit Some lived in wood stilt houses or pit dwellings, and they may have had an dwellings, and they may have had an early form of agricultureearly form of agriculture

There have been some tools and There have been some tools and artifacts found from this time periodartifacts found from this time period

Yayoi Period (300 BC to 300 Yayoi Period (300 BC to 300 AD)AD)

Rice culture was introduced during Rice culture was introduced during this timethis time

Social classes began to evolveSocial classes began to evolve Parts of the country were divided and Parts of the country were divided and

controlled by powerful land ownerscontrolled by powerful land owners New technologies were arriving from New technologies were arriving from

China and KoreaChina and Korea

Ancient and Classical Ancient and Classical JapanJapan

Kofun Period (300-538)Kofun Period (300-538)

By around 400 AD the country was By around 400 AD the country was united as Yamate Japan, with it’s united as Yamate Japan, with it’s political center around the province political center around the province of Yamato. (Hokkaido was not yet of Yamato. (Hokkaido was not yet included in Japan)included in Japan)

The Yamato court controlled clans in The Yamato court controlled clans in Kyushu and HonshuKyushu and Honshu

Asuka Period (592-645)Asuka Period (592-645)

Buddhism arrived in JapanBuddhism arrived in Japan Governed by the emperor and Governed by the emperor and

several other powerful clans several other powerful clans Imperial family intermarried with Imperial family intermarried with

other powerful clans, such as the other powerful clans, such as the Soga clan, and the Fujiwara clan.Soga clan, and the Fujiwara clan.

Nara Period (710-794)Nara Period (710-794) Capital moved to what is present day NaraCapital moved to what is present day Nara Literature first appears from Japan, mostly Literature first appears from Japan, mostly

from the imperial courtfrom the imperial court Most people were Shinto, but there were Most people were Shinto, but there were

also few Buddhistsalso few Buddhists The area was better governed, and tax The area was better governed, and tax

collection became more routinecollection became more routine Coins were minted, if not widely used by Coins were minted, if not widely used by

the Japanese peoplethe Japanese people The first known outbreak of smallpox The first known outbreak of smallpox

threatens the area and spreads from threatens the area and spreads from Kyushu to NaraKyushu to Nara

Heian Period (794-1185)Heian Period (794-1185)

This period is considered the last in This period is considered the last in traditional Japanese history. traditional Japanese history.

The imperial court is at it’s peak during The imperial court is at it’s peak during these timesthese times

This marks the beginning of the Samurai This marks the beginning of the Samurai cultureculture

The capital is moved again, to Kyoto this The capital is moved again, to Kyoto this timetime

This is said to be the most peaceful and This is said to be the most peaceful and prosperous time in Japanese history.prosperous time in Japanese history.

Feudal JapanFeudal JapanJapanese emperors had lost much Japanese emperors had lost much of their power, and the land was of their power, and the land was ruled by powerful families and ruled by powerful families and

military leaders called Shoguns. military leaders called Shoguns. This type of government was This type of government was

called a Shogunate.called a Shogunate.

Kamakura Period (1185-Kamakura Period (1185-1333)1333)

Named after the Kamakura Shogunate Named after the Kamakura Shogunate that ruled Japan during this timethat ruled Japan during this time

Mongols tried to invade JapanMongols tried to invade Japan Battles with the Mongols weakened Battles with the Mongols weakened

Japan, and although they were Japan, and although they were successful in driving the Mongols successful in driving the Mongols away, the Shogunate eventually lost away, the Shogunate eventually lost powerpower

Go Daigo became emperor for a short Go Daigo became emperor for a short timetime

Muromachi Period (1336-Muromachi Period (1336-1573)1573)

The Ashikaga Shogunate took powerThe Ashikaga Shogunate took power The last shogun of this period was The last shogun of this period was

Ashikaga YoshiakiAshikaga Yoshiaki He was evicted from the capital (Kyoto) He was evicted from the capital (Kyoto) A Portuguese ship arrived in Japan, A Portuguese ship arrived in Japan,

teaching the Japanese about firearmsteaching the Japanese about firearms From that time, a few other trading From that time, a few other trading

ships reached Japan, and continued to ships reached Japan, and continued to open the country’s eyes to new open the country’s eyes to new technologies technologies

Azuchi-Momoyama (1568-Azuchi-Momoyama (1568-1600)1600)

Many parts of Japan were united again and the Many parts of Japan were united again and the military grew strongermilitary grew stronger

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a military leader who Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a military leader who wanted to take over Korea and Chinawanted to take over Korea and China

He sent troops of 160,000 to Korea, but they He sent troops of 160,000 to Korea, but they failed, and returned to Japan. failed, and returned to Japan.

In 1598, Toyotomi died, and the Japanese In 1598, Toyotomi died, and the Japanese dropped the idea of taking over it’s neighboring dropped the idea of taking over it’s neighboring countries.countries.

During this time, many Koreans were brought to During this time, many Koreans were brought to Japan, and they brought artistic ability and Japan, and they brought artistic ability and knowledge with them.knowledge with them.

Edo Period (1603-1868)Edo Period (1603-1868) During this period, Japan was ruled by about 200 small During this period, Japan was ruled by about 200 small

rulers called Daimyorulers called Daimyo The most powerful of these was called the Tokogawa The most powerful of these was called the Tokogawa

clan. They ruled for fifteen generations from a place clan. They ruled for fifteen generations from a place called Edo, which is near present day Tokyocalled Edo, which is near present day Tokyo

The highest group in society became samurais. The highest group in society became samurais. Agriculturalists and artists were considered lower class Agriculturalists and artists were considered lower class than the samuraithan the samurai

Many new art forms were created, including a new form Many new art forms were created, including a new form of block printing, and two types of theater, the Kabuki of block printing, and two types of theater, the Kabuki and Bunrakuand Bunraku

Trade and commerce continued to rise during the Edo Trade and commerce continued to rise during the Edo periodperiod

In 1868, the Boshun war took place, resulting in the end In 1868, the Boshun war took place, resulting in the end of the Shogunate rule, putting Japan under the rule of of the Shogunate rule, putting Japan under the rule of an emperor once morean emperor once more

Picture of a Group of Picture of a Group of SamuraiSamurai

Castles from the Feudal Period Castles from the Feudal Period in Japanin Japan

Osaka castle Osaka castle

Nijo Castle or Shogun’s Palace Nijo Castle or Shogun’s Palace Located in KyotoLocated in Kyoto

Himeji Castle Himeji Castle -the largest Castle in Japan-the largest Castle in Japan

-Nicknamed white heron from white wing architecture -Nicknamed white heron from white wing architecture

Quiz!!Quiz!!

What were the What were the Japanese first called Japanese first called

by the Chinese by the Chinese people?people?

The “Wa” people.The “Wa” people.

Where did the Ainu Where did the Ainu people originate people originate

from?from?

Hokkaido.Hokkaido.

What is the name of What is the name of the first period in the first period in

prehistoric Japanese prehistoric Japanese history?history?

The Jomon Period.The Jomon Period.

What was the most What was the most powerful clan in powerful clan in ancient Japan?ancient Japan?

The Fujiwara clan, or The Fujiwara clan, or the Soga clan.the Soga clan.

When did the first When did the first known outbreak of known outbreak of smallpox occur in smallpox occur in

Japan?Japan?

During the Nara During the Nara Period.Period.

Which war resulted in Which war resulted in the end of the the end of the

Shogunate rule?Shogunate rule?

The Boshun war.The Boshun war.

Where is Nijo castle Where is Nijo castle or the Shogun’s or the Shogun’s palace located?palace located?

Kyoto.Kyoto.

Which castle is the Which castle is the largest in Japan?largest in Japan?

Himeji castle.Himeji castle.

What year did What year did Toyotomi die?Toyotomi die?

In 1598.In 1598.

During what period During what period was the imperial was the imperial

court at it’s peak?court at it’s peak?

The Heian period.The Heian period.

TIE BREAKER: TIE BREAKER:

In what year was the In what year was the Boshun war?Boshun war?

In 1868.In 1868.