Japanese History: Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun Periods

• Ranges for specific periods in Japanese history are approximate and can vary slightly depending on the source.

Jomon Period

• c. 14,000 BCE – 300 BCE
• Characterized by hunter-gatherer lifestyles and the use of cord-marked pottery.
• The end date is sometimes debated, with some extending it to 500 BCE.
• The Jomon period is defined by the unique Jomon pottery that was produced in Japan and is one of the oldest examples of pottery in the world.

Yayoi Period

• c. 300 BCE – 300 CE
• Marked by the introduction of rice cultivation, metalworking (bronze and iron), and new pottery styles.
• Sees a shift towards an agricultural society.
• Some scholars place the start date later, around 500 BCE, and the end date as late as 250 CE.

Kofun Period

• c. 300 CE – 538 CE
• Named after the large burial mounds (kofun) constructed for the ruling elite.
• Characterized by a centralized Yamato polity and increasing contact with the Korean peninsula and China.
• Introduction of iron tools and weapons significantly impacted agriculture and warfare.
• Many giant keyhole-shaped Kofun were built during this period.

Asuka Period

• 538 CE – 710 CE
• Buddhism was officially adopted.
• Significant cultural and political influence from China.
• Establishment of a centralized government under the Soga clan and later reforms under Prince Shotoku.
• Named after the Asuka region, where the imperial court was located.

Nara Period

• 710 CE – 794 CE
• Modeled after the Tang Dynasty.
• Establishment of a permanent capital at Heijo-kyo (Nara).
• Flourishing of Buddhist art, architecture, and scholarship.
• Powerful Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Heian Period

• 794 CE – 1185 CE
• The capital was moved to Heian-kyo (Kyoto).
• Characterized by the rise of the Fujiwara clan.
• Development of unique Japanese culture, including literature (e.g., The Tale of Genji) and courtly arts.
• The emergence of the samurai class.
• The end date is often cited as 1185 CE, marking the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate.

Kamakura Period

• 1185 CE – 1333 CE
• The establishment of the Kamakura shogunate by Minamoto Yoritomo.
• A dual government system occurred, with the imperial court in Kyoto and the shogunate in Kamakura.
• Rise of the samurai class and the Bushido code.
• Repulsion of the Mongol invasions in 1274 and 1281.
• The Jokyu War of 1221 resulted in the Kamakura Shogunate gaining near total control over Japan.

Muromachi Period

• 1336 CE – 1573 CE
• The establishment of the Ashikaga shogunate, based in Muromachi (Kyoto).
• Characterized by political instability and the rise of regional daimyo (feudal lords).
• Development of Zen Buddhism and its influence on Japanese arts, such as the tea ceremony, ink painting, and Noh theater.
• The Onin War (1467-1477) led to further fragmentation and the Sengoku period.
• Also known as the Ashikaga Period.

Warring States Period (Sengoku Period)

• 1467 CE – 1615 CE
• A period of intense internal warfare among daimyo vying for control of Japan.
• Characterized by constant battles, political intrigue, and social upheaval.
• Prominent figures include Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
• Usually dated from the Onin War, however some say only from 1493
• Some prefer an earlier beginning date around 1467.
• The end date is commonly marked by the beginning of the Edo period.
• The final events were the Siege of Osaka 1614-1615.

Edo Period (Tokugawa Period)

• 1603 CE – 1868 CE
• The establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
• A period of relative peace and stability under a centralized government.
• Strict social hierarchy with the samurai class at the top.
• Economic growth and the development of urban centers.
• Isolationist policy (sakoku) that limited foreign contact.
• The end date marks the Meiji Restoration and the end of the shogunate.