Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/01. East Asian Civilizations • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
The Japanese Samurai & Shogunate Eras span from the rise of the samurai class in the Heian period to the Meiji Restoration, encompassing the Sengoku civil wars, the unification under the Tokugawa shogunate, the isolationist Sakoku policy, and the cultural flourishing of the Genroku period.
Chronological Storyline (44 Milestones)
1185 CE
Minamoto no Yoritomo Establishes Kamakura Shogunate
After defeating the Taira clan in the Genpei War, Minamoto no Yoritomo established the Kamakura Shogunate, the first military government in Japan, marking the rise of the samurai class. #history #japan
Minamoto no Yoritomo Establishes Kamakura Shogunate By Artanisen - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120158080
1274 CE
First Mongol Invasion of Japan
Kublai Khan's Mongol fleet attempted to invade Japan but was repelled by samurai defenders and a typhoon, later called 'kamikaze' or divine wind. #history #japan
First Mongol Invasion of Japan By Qiushufang - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=84874463
1336 CE
Ashikaga Takauji Establishes Muromachi Shogunate
Ashikaga Takauji seized power and established the Muromachi Shogunate, leading to a period of cultural development but also political instability. #history #japan
1467 CE
Ōnin War Begins
The Ōnin War erupted, triggering the Sengoku period of civil war and social upheaval as daimyō fought for control. #history #japan
Ōnin War Begins By Utagawa Yoshitora - Japanese-finearts.com https://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/A1-92-044/Yoshitora/The-Battle-of-Onin, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=97936188
1543 CE
Portuguese Arrive in Japan
Portuguese traders landed on Tanegashima, introducing firearms and Christianity to Japan, which transformed samurai warfare. #history #japan
Jun 12, 1560 CE
Battle of Okehazama
Oda Nobunaga defeated the much larger army of Imagawa Yoshimoto, establishing himself as a major warlord. #history #japan
Battle of Okehazama By Utagawa Toyonobu - "Bishū Okehazama-gassen" 『尾州桶狭間合戦』 (http://morimiya.net/online/ukiyoe-big-files/U896.html), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16989647
1573 CE
Oda Nobunaga Overthrows Muromachi Shogunate
Nobunaga expelled the last Ashikaga shogun, ending the Muromachi Shogunate and accelerating unification. #history #japan
Oda Nobunaga Overthrows Muromachi Shogunate By 狩野宗秀 (Kanō Sōshū, 1551 - 1601) - en:Image:Odanobunaga.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=191607
Jun 28, 1575 CE
Battle of Nagashino
Oda Nobunaga used massed arquebusiers to defeat the Takeda cavalry, revolutionizing samurai warfare. #history #japan
Battle of Nagashino By Unknown author (Edo period, circa 18th century) - Nagahama Castle Historical Museum in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113012775
Jun 21, 1582 CE
Incident at Honnō-ji
Oda Nobunaga was betrayed and forced to commit seppuku by his general Akechi Mitsuhide, leading to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's rise. #history #japan
Incident at Honnō-ji By Nobukazu Yōsai - ブレイズマン (talk) 10:19, 12 July 2008 (UTC), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4365002
1590 CE
Siege of Odawara
Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeated the Hōjō clan, completing the unification of Japan. #history #japan )
Siege of Odawara By Σ64 - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68398104
1592 CE
Imjin War Begins
Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Korea, leading to a war with China and Korea that strained Japanese resources. #history #japan
Imjin War Begins By Unknown author - http://www.cha.go.kr/unisearch/Culresult_Db_View.jsp?VdkVgwKey=12,03910000,11, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=752659
Oct 21, 1600 CE
Battle of Sekigahara
Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated the Western Army, paving the way for the Tokugawa Shogunate. #history #japan
Battle of Sekigahara By User LordAmeth on en.wikipediaCollection of The Town of Sekigahara Archive of History and Cultural Anthropology - http://www.sengoku-expo.net/flash/sekigahara/byoubu/byoubu_c.html http://inpaku02.iamas.ac.jp/sekigahara/byoubu/images/l/263.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1028364
1603 CE
Tokugawa Ieyasu Becomes Shōgun
Ieyasu was appointed shōgun, establishing the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for over 250 years. #history #japan
Tokugawa Ieyasu Becomes Shōgun By This vector image was created with Inkscape by TRAJAN 117, and then manually replaced. - Own work, sources: [1], Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20440594
1614 CE
Siege of Osaka
Tokugawa Ieyasu besieged Osaka Castle, destroying the Toyotomi clan and consolidating Tokugawa power. #history #japan
Siege of Osaka By Utagawa Yoshitora - パブリックドメイン, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=124053786
1635 CE
Sakoku Edict Issued
The Tokugawa shogunate implemented the Sakoku policy, restricting foreign trade and banning Christianity, isolating Japan. #history #japan
1637 CE
Shimabara Rebellion
Christian peasants and ronin revolted against the shogunate, leading to a brutal suppression and further isolation. #history #japan
Shimabara Rebellion By Unknown author - Yanagawa Ancient Archives - https://www.city.yanagawa.fukuoka.jp/blog-buka/2020/_7900/_7933.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113025861
1688 CE
Genroku Period Begins
The Genroku era marked a cultural golden age with flourishing arts, literature, and kabuki theater. #history #japan #culture
Dec 14, 1702 CE
Forty-Seven Ronin Incident
A group of masterless samurai avenged their lord's death, then committed seppuku, becoming a symbol of samurai loyalty. #history #japan
Forty-Seven Ronin Incident By Yasuda Raishū 安田雷洲 (?-1858) - https://tokyoartnavi.jp/edoartnavi/index009.php, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81431943
1720 CE
Kyōhō Reforms
Shōgun Tokugawa Yoshimune implemented fiscal and agricultural reforms to stabilize the economy. #history #japan
1774 CE
Kaitai Shinsho Published
A Japanese translation of a Dutch anatomy book, marking the beginning of Western scientific learning (Rangaku). #history #science #japan
Kaitai Shinsho Published By Babi Hijau - Photo taken by own, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1903467
1792 CE
Russian Envoy Adam Laxman Arrives
Laxman arrived in Hokkaido seeking trade, but the shogunate refused, maintaining isolation. #history #japan
1808 CE
Phaeton Incident
A British warship entered Nagasaki harbor, exposing Japan's vulnerability and prompting coastal defense reforms. #history #japan
Phaeton Incident By John Christian Schetky - http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/150855, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62829776
1825 CE
Edict to Repel Foreign Vessels
The shogunate ordered the expulsion of foreign ships, reinforcing isolation. #history #japan
1837 CE
Morrison Incident
An American merchant ship was fired upon while trying to repatriate Japanese castaways, highlighting tensions. #history #japan
Morrison Incident By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=883111
1841 CE
Tenpō Reforms
Shōgun Tokugawa Ieyoshi attempted conservative reforms to address economic and social problems. #history #japan
Jul 8, 1853 CE
Commodore Perry Arrives in Japan
U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry arrived with a fleet, demanding Japan open to trade, ending isolation. #history #japan
Commodore Perry Arrives in Japan By Unknown author - English Wikipedia, uploaded on 11 June 2005 by en:User:PHG, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7663999
Mar 31, 1854 CE
Treaty of Kanagawa Signed
Japan signed the Treaty of Kanagawa with the U.S., opening two ports and ending Sakoku. #history #japan
Treaty of Kanagawa Signed By World Imaging - Own work, photographed at Foreign Ministry Archives, Tokyo, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12764180
Jul 29, 1858 CE
Harris Treaty Signed
The U.S.-Japan Treaty of Amity and Commerce opened more ports and allowed extraterritoriality, sparking anti-foreign sentiment. #history #japan )
Harris Treaty Signed By World Imaging - Own work, photographed at Japan Foreign Ministry Archives, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12765184
Mar 24, 1860 CE
Sakuradamon Incident
Ii Naosuke, chief minister who signed the Harris Treaty, was assassinated by ronin, escalating turmoil. #history #japan )
Sakuradamon Incident By Soerfm - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67642286
Jul 16, 1863 CE
Shimonoseki Campaign
Chōshū domain fired on foreign ships, leading to a retaliatory bombardment by Western powers. #history #japan
Shimonoseki Campaign By Felice Beato - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3227733
Aug 20, 1864 CE
Kinmon Incident
Chōshū forces attempted to seize the Kyoto Imperial Palace but were repelled, leading to the First Chōshū expedition. #history #japan
Kinmon Incident By Yūzan Mori - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. CALL NUMBER: Illus. in H30 [Asian RR]. REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-USZC4-8727. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3g08727, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2266049
1866 CE
Satsuma-Chōshū Alliance Formed
The Satsuma and Chōshū domains formed a secret alliance to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate. #history #japan
Nov 9, 1867 CE
Taisei Hōkan (Restoration of Imperial Rule)
Shōgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu resigned, returning political power to the Emperor, ending the Tokugawa shogunate. #history #japan
Jan 3, 1868 CE
Meiji Restoration Begins
The Meiji Restoration was proclaimed, restoring imperial rule and initiating rapid modernization. #history #japan
Meiji Restoration Begins By Takahashi Yuichi (1828-1894) - https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2013/11/27/arts/the-imperial-household-of-tradition/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46694400
Jan 27, 1868 CE
Battle of Toba–Fushimi
Imperial forces defeated the Tokugawa army, solidifying the Meiji government's control. #history #japan
Battle of Toba–Fushimi By Photo memories 1868 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=138345036
Jun 27, 1869 CE
Battle of Hakodate
The last Tokugawa loyalists were defeated, ending the Boshin War and the samurai era. #history #japan
Battle of Hakodate By Unknown artistUnknown artist, ILN Staff, after a sketch by William Henry Webster - From Illustrated London News, 11 September 1869, p. 248. Description of image is at p. 257, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=676837
1871 CE
Abolition of the Han System
The Meiji government abolished feudal domains and established prefectures, centralizing power. #history #japan
1873 CE
Land Tax Reform
The Meiji government implemented a land tax reform, modernizing the tax system and undermining samurai stipends. #history #japan )
Mar 28, 1876 CE
Haitōrei Edict (Sword Abolishment)
The Meiji government banned the wearing of swords, effectively ending the samurai class. #history #japan
Jan 29, 1877 CE
Satsuma Rebellion
Saigō Takamori led a samurai revolt against the Meiji government, ending in defeat and the final samurai uprising. #history #japan
Satsuma Rebellion By Hoodinski - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20750414
Feb 11, 1889 CE
Meiji Constitution Promulgated
The Meiji Constitution established a parliamentary system with the emperor as sovereign, modernizing Japan's government. #history #japan
Meiji Constitution Promulgated By Kantei - Kantei.go.jp https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/seido/index.html , https://web.archive.org/web/20211007101451/https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/seido/index.html, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=96920661
Aug 1, 1894 CE
First Sino-Japanese War Begins
Japan defeated Qing China, gaining Taiwan and international recognition as a major power. #history #japan
First Sino-Japanese War Begins By Unknown author - http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_5015e65f0102vh9w.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95978605
Feb 8, 1904 CE
Russo-Japanese War Begins
Japan defeated Russia, becoming the first Asian power to defeat a European empire. #history #japan
Russo-Japanese War Begins By Original uploader and author was Dustandshadow at en.wikipedia - Русско-японская война (8 февраля 1904 — 27 июля 1905), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2748167
Aug 22, 1910 CE
Japan Annexes Korea
Japan formally annexed Korea, ending the Korean Empire and beginning colonial rule. #history #japan
Japan Annexes Korea By Sunjong of Korean Empire - "서울대이태진교수의동경대생들에게들려준한국사 : 메이지일본의한국침략사", Yi Tae-jin (2005) p. 211. ISBN 89-7626-999-3, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2294468
