Facts about Japan

Seated Amida Nyorai, Heian period 12th century

A Detailed History of Japan

Jomon Period - 14000 - 400 BC

Japan’s history begins with the Jomon period. It is estimated that this period began from 14000 BC and ended at around 300 BC. The earliest signs of the civilization appeared at 14000 BC with stable living patterns. Agriculture was quite rudimentary at that time, while most of the people practiced hunting and gathering of food.

At that time, the craft of weaving was still unknown, with clothes often made of fur. People during this period began to make clay vessels and decorated them with patterns made by immersing wet clay with unabraided or braided sticks and cord. The word Jomon in fact refers to patterns of plaited cord.

A few of the oldest surviving models of pottery in the world have been traced to ancient Japan. According to radio-carbon dating efforts, these pots along with jade, daggers, combs made out of shells as well as other household items were made as early as the 1100 BC.

Dogu, or clay figures, were also excavated. Excavation of the said items implies that there have been trade routes in the said areas of Japan, going as far as Okinawa. Ainu, a group of indigenous people who lived in Hokkaida represent descendants of Jomon people.

Yayoi Period - 400 BC – AD 250

From the 400 BC to 250 AD, the Yayoi period reigned in Japan. The period was named after the Yayoi district in Bunkyo, Tokyo which was the site of the first recognized traces of the said era.

Weaving, iron and bronze making, and rice farming were some of the new practices that were introduced during this period. Most of the practices were brought from China and Korea. There are also researches proving that the technology of wet rice cultivation which started around 8000 BC sprouted in the Yangtze River before being introduced in Japan 7,000 years later.

Japan was first mentioned in written accounts in AD 57 when it was mentioned in the Book of Later Han that came out of China.

Chinese travelers went to Kyushu during the Wei and Han dynasties and claimed that the people there were descendants of Grand Count of Wu. People in Kyushu during those times showed traits of Wu people such as baby-carrying, teeth-pulling, and tattooing.

The most renowned archaeological site during the Yayoi period was the Yoshinogari which revealed a large and continuously inhabited area in Kyushu for a lengthy period of time in ancient Japan. Artifacts excavated include bronze and iron materials from China.

Kofun Period - 250 – 538

Starting from 250 AD, the Kofun period was beset by the establishment of powerful military states centering on influential clans. The period also saw the establishment of Yamato polity centering in the Kawachi and Yamato provinces during the 3rd and 7th centuries. The said polity suppressed the clans and maintained a significant influence in the western side of the country.

The polity was named Wa in Chinese history books, with its five kings recorded. According to the Chinese model, the polity developed a central administration as well as an imperial court system. Its society was likewise organized into various occupation groups.

During the middle part of this period, a close relationship between Japan and Korea developed and thrived. In fact, Japan sent large armies to the Korean peninsula particularly during the 4th and 5th centuries. The Liu-Song emperor awarded the title of military dominion to the King of Yamato over Gaya and Silla confederacy.

Silla and Baekje also dispatched their princes as hostages in ensuring continued military support to the Wa. Jeonji, the proud son of King Asin of Baekje was sent over in the year 397 AD, while the son of King Silseong of Silla departed in 402 AD.

Asuka Period - 538 – 710

The Asuka period is highlighted by the gradual development of the Japanese Yamato polity into a centralized state, with the application of a code of laws such as the Taiho Code and Taika Reform. Practice of kofun ended with the introduction of a new religion, Buddhism.

The said religion came to the country in 538 AD through the efforts of Baekje and the help of the ruling class. One of the prime movers of the religion in the country was Prince Shotoku, who is largely credited for bringing peace to the islands. He proclaimed the Jushichijo kenpo, a constitution-type which focused on the virtues and morals that were expected of officials in government as well as the emperor’s subjects.

Times of turmoil began when a letter from the emperor of Japan implied equal footing with China.

Through the Taika Reform edict introduced in 645 AD, the Japanese brought Chinese cultural practices while reorganized their government and their penal court according to Chinese administrative structure or Ritsuryo. The said developments helped the Confucian philosophy to thrive in Japan, up until the onset of the 19th century. It was during this period that “Nihon” began to be used in reference to Japan.

Nara Period - 710 – 794

The Nara period during the 8th century was highlighted by the emergence of an influential and powerful Japanese state. Empress Genmei authored the move to present-day Nara around 710 AD. The city was modeled after the Chinese Tang Dynasty capital, Chang’an.

The Nara period was marked by struggles for power by Imperial family members with the Buddhist clergy and the Fujiwara clan. The country did however enjoy good relations with Tang China and Silla. By 784 AD, the capital was transferred to Nagaoka and later, Heian-kyo.

It was during this period that massive chronicles of Japan’s history began.

The Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki were made during this period chronicling the beginnings of Japan, which is now referred to as Japanese mythology. The myths stress that the country was established in 660 BC by Emperor Jimmu, who was a direct offspring of the Sun Goddess, the Shinto deity name Amaterasu. The myths likewise state that the long line of Japanese emperors began with Emperor Jimmu. However, according to historians, the first emperor who existed was Ojin, although the years of his reign remain uncertain. When the period ended, the political power was no longer in the jurisdiction of the emperor.

Heian Period - 794 – 1185

The final period of the classical Japanese history is the Heian period which lasted from 794 to 1185 AD. This period is cherished for it was the highest point of the imperial court of Japan. It was also during this time that Japanese poetry and literature was at its finest. The oldest surviving novel in the world, Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki, was made during this period. The oldest existing compilations of Japanese poetry, Kokin Wakashu and Man’yoshu, were also completed during this period.

The influence of the Chinese also reached its highest point during this particular period, ending in 838 with a sanctioned mission to China and in part with the weakening of the Tang Dynasty. However a lot of trade expeditions as well as Buddhist pilgrimages to the eastern neighbor of Japan continued.

Powerful aristocratic families ruled the Imperial Court in ancient Japan during the Heian period, particularly the Fujiwara clan that had the titles Kampaku and Sessho.

The rise of military clans signaled the end of this period. The Taira, Minanoto, Fujiwara, and Tachibana clans were four of the most important clans that ruled this period. Conflicts between these clans resulted into a civil war, which caused an era dominated by samurai clans.

Kamakura Period - 1185 – 1333

The transition to a medieval era began during the Kamakura period from 1185 to 1333 AD. The Japanese medieval era stretched for nearly 700 years wherein the court, the Emperor and traditional central government remained intact although relegated to basically doing ceremonial functions. The bushi or samurai class controlled judicial, military and civil matters. The most powerful of the samurai class, the shogun, was considered the unofficial national ruler. This period in Japanese history was unlike the old shoen system with its pervasive military emphasis.

An ugly event during the period was the invasion of the Mongols in the 12th century. With their superior weaponry and naval technology, the Mongols attempted to take over the country. Kamikaze, a famous typhoon which is translated as divine wind, helped repel the attempt of the Mongol invaders. While the Mongols were unsuccessful in their attempt to invade the Japanese islands, the invasion was devastating on the local forefront. It resulted to the end of the Kamakura shogunate.

This period ended with the end of the said shogunate and the brief yet significant reestablishment of imperial rule. This period is also hailed as the start of the Middle Ages, including the Muromachi period.

Muromachi Period - 1336 – 1573

The Muromachi period marks the rise of the Ashikaga shogunate, or the Muromachi shogunate. The shogunate was established by Ashikaga Takauji, the earliest Muromachi shogun. Takauji seized political control from Emperor Go-Daigo, in effect ending the restoration of the Emmu. This period ended when final shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki, was forced out of the government by Oda Nobunaga.

The first years of this period is also referred to as the Nanboku-cho, referring to the time when the Imperial court was cut into two factions.

The latter years up to the conclusion of the period, meanwhile, is referred to as the Sengoku period, a time when intense internal warfare commenced. The said period also corresponds to the time when the Japanese had their first contact with civilizations from the West, with the entry of Portuguese “Nanban” dealers.

The missionary Francis Xavier was among those included in the group of Portuguese Nanban explorers that arrived in ancient Japan during this period. In 1953, a ship from Portugal landed on an island in Japan after being blown off while on its way to China. The Portuguese then introduced firearms to the Japanese. This is one of the biggest and most significant innovations during this period.

Azuchi Momoyama Period - 1568 – 1603

The Azuchi Momoyama period began around 1568 AD and ended in 1600. This period marked the reunification of the military as well as the stabilization of the nation under one political ruler. Oda Nobunaga almost single handedly united the nation, until his general, Toyotomi Hideyoshi achieved the feat years later.

This period began with the entry of Nobunaga into Kyoto sometime in 1568. He led his army into the Imperial Capital, installing Ashikaga Yoshiaki as the shogun. It turned out that Yoshiaki was the last shogun in the Ashikaga shogunate. The period ended when Tokugawa Ieyasu came to power in 1600.

Edo Period - 1603 – 1868

The Edo period was marked by 200 daimyo sharing in the administration of the nation. The most powerful of the daimyos was the Tokugawa clan, which led the eastern army to a victory in a battle of Sekigahara. The clan also had a monopoly of the Sei-I Taishogun for fifteen generations. They also enjoyed the allegiance of other daimyos, and hard their headquarters at present-day Tokyo.

During this time the shogunate ordered lot of significant policies. First they made the samurai class a notch higher than commoners like artisans, agriculturists, and merchants. They also enacted laws that limited the hair style, accessories, and dress. The shogunate also classified commoners into five groups. In order to avoid the rebellion of the daimyo, the shoguns allowed them to have lavish residences in the capital of Edo. The shogunate also allowed the holding of expensive processions, and enacted on contributions for the maintenance temples, shrines, and roads.

There were a lot of artistic developments during this period, most significant of which was the kabuki, bunraki theaters and the ukiyo-e form popular in wood-block print.

During this period Japanese cities emerged. There was also a marked improvement in trade and commerce in the country.

Meiji Period - 1868 – 1912

The Meiji era pertains to the 45-year rule of the Meiji emperor from 1868 to 1912. It was during this period when Japan became modernized and became a legit world power. The name of this era means “Enlightened Rule.”

Mutsuhito, then a 16-year old prodigy, succeeded his father to begin a new period of Meiji, or the “enlightened rule.” The Meiji restoration in 1868 put an end to the feudalistic Tokugawa shogunate which ruled for 265 years.

The new government carried out provisions specifically calling for the establishment of deliberative assemblies, the participation of all classes in the various affairs of the state, revocation of class restrictions and sumptuary laws on employment, the replacement of what was termed as evil customs, and the search for knowledge in order to strengthen the basics of imperial rule.

The new government also put an end to the exclusivity of political rule, moving towards a more democratic participation of people in their government. As part of moves to implement charter oath, the government approved an 11-article constitution. It also provided taxation system, legislative bodies, a council of state, and systems for officials and the nobles. It likewise limited tenure of officials to four years.

Taisho Period - 1912 – 1926

Called the period of great righteousness, the Taisho era dates from July 30, 1912 all the way up to December 25, 1926. It coincides with the rule of the Taisho Emperor. With the weakening health of the emperor, the government marked a change in political power, going from old oligarchic faction of elder statements to democratic parties and the Diet of Japan. This era is regarded as the period of liberal movement referred to as the “Taisho democracy.” This period is distinguished from the earlier era of Meiji period, as well as the subsequent Showa period characterized by military orientation.

Showa Period - 1926 – 1989

The Showa period is fondly referred to as the period of enlightened peace. This coincides with the rule of Emperor Showa or Hirohito, from 1926 to 1989.

Considered as the longest rule among Japanese emperors, the Showa period is characterized by the descent of Japan from political chaos and the rise of ultranationalism. In the 1930s, Japan warred with China before entering a full-scale global war with its daring attack of Pearl Harbor. Japan would then suffer two nuclear attacks in 1945.

Reeling from defeat, Japan was conquered by a foreign power. With America controlling the country, the Japan would benefit from sweeping democratic reforms. Seven years after being attacked by nuclear bombs, Japan became sovereign once again. In the following decades, Japan experienced an economic miracle that could have rivaled that of West Germany’s. In the next few years the country would rise as the second wealthiest country in the world, next to the United States. There was even time when many observers felt that the Japanese overtook the United States in terms of global dominance.

Historians agree that this period can be divided into three portions: the militarist era, the occupation of the Americans, and the post-occupation period.

Heisei Period - 1989 – present

Heisei pertains to the current era in Japan. It started in 1989 when the ruling Emperor, Akhihito, took over from the reigns left by Emperor Hirohito. It also marked the 63 year rule of the Showa period.

According to Japanese tradition, Hirohito was renamed as “Emperor Showa” as were Mutsuhito was posthumously named Emperor Meiji and Emperor Taisho for Yoshihito.

The year 1989 relates to Showa 64 all the way up to the 7th date in the first month, then to Heisei 1 from the 8th day in the first month. Heisei 20 is 2008.

The official announcement of the death of Emperor Showa happened in the morning of January 7, 1989 by the grand steward of the Japanese Imperial Household Agency. It was also the first time that the government revealed the details of the Emperor’s battle with cancer, which led to his death. Keizo Obuchi, who was then the chief cabinet secretary and who would later assume the post of Japanese Prime Minister, announced that the Showa Era had ended. He also announced the culmination of the Heisei Era. He also explained the significance of the name. “Heisei” came from a couple of Chinese philosophy and history books.