History of Japan Essay

Plenty of archaeological evidences are suggesting a strong connection between Korean peninsula and Japan in early Yamato state period. Then comes the interesting question, why and how the connection was build. Different explanations were forged and debates are fierce given limited information during that period. One very influential one called Horserider theory argues that Korean people invaded Japanese islands where no state is presented and bring them advanced political, cultural, material and…

The Downfall of the once Great Samurai Samurai’s have a long, rich history and what it meant to be a Samurai is honor, valor, loyalty. You were also wealthy and were one of the elites of Japan’s class system. Although samurais were once known as “Great”, the samurai’s downfall was inevitable because they want to keep the same traditions not trying modernize. During the eighth century, the Heian Period, around the year 800 to 1200, Samurai originally was referred to household…

culture can be traced back to 8000 BC during the Jomon Period in Japan, although most archaeologists agree that it could go as far back as 100,000 years (“Early Japanese History”). The ancient Japanese culture is one of the most studied and historic cultures in the world. The Jomon period is known for is their advanced pottery techniques for that time period -- hence the name Jomon, which means "patterns of plaited cord” (“Ancient Japan”). The ancient Japanese culture was well known for their…

was undoubtedly the basis of modern Japanese culture. The period began when the Emperor, Emperor Kammu, moved the capital of Japan from Nara to Heian-Kyō (now known as Kyoto) after Buddhist monasteries became oppressive. The Heian period is also known for the Fujiwara Clan. During the Heian period, the emperor lost most of his power and became more of a representative to Japan letting aforementioned Fujiwara Clan gain said power. They were a select family of aristocrats who lived close to the…

The Tokugawa Shogunate was a period when peace reigned throughout Japan and the Daimyo were able to be brought under control. This period was called the Tokugawa period also known as the Edo period. This was also a period when Japan was cut off from the rest of the world. The daimyo were one of the great lords of Japan (shogun above them) who had many samurais under their control. Oda Nobunaga, a Japanese warrior and government official, decided in 1568 to conquer the daimyo and gain control…

Introduction Commonly called, “The Heart of Japan” Kyoto was the center of Japan’s culture, literature, Japanese Imperial Court, and arts during it’s hayday. Looking at Japan’s long history, it was first introduced 1200 years ago as Japan’s capital during the Heian Period (794 to 1185 C.E.) as Heian-kyō meaning, "tranquility and peace capital.” The four centuries of the Heian Golden Age changed the course of Japan’s history because of the emergence of the intertwining elements such as…

History essay The Tokogawa period, also called the Edo period, was the last Japanese feudal military government which lasted between 1603 and 1868. The feudal system was designed to separate different groups of people and each group having a purpose in the system. The Tokogawa Shogunate was responsible for controlling the samurai class and collecting taxes, defending and controlling the cities. Samurais who were professional warriors, were the leaders in this period, but all of them were…

The Heian period in Japan was one of the last divisions in the classical part of the Japanese History which was from the year of 794 to 1185. During this period of the Japanese history was when Taoism and Buddhism were at their peak. The Heian period which is known as the most historical phase which Japan went through was because of its poetry, literature and art. The period of the Heian had started before the Nara period which had started in 794 by the 50th emperor which is known as Emperor…

very important era to focus on is the Kamakura Shogunate era that started in 1185 and ended in 1133. Kamakura lasted for about 150 years, but had a great impact on the history of Japan. In 1192, Minamoto Yoritomo took total control of the country and was appointed shogun. He established the very first warrior government in Japan’s history. When appointed shogun, Yoritomo had total control of the military and warrior class, and whoever has control of the military, has control of the country. Like…

The Heian Period, was a period of both chaos and beauty. Marked with the decline of the imperial family, and the rise of the Fujiwara Regency, the Heian period was filled with dramatic shifts of power, and the emergence of new political and economic powers. While literature and the arts prospered in court, as seen with the Tales of Genji, greed and manipulation also bled throughout. From the rise of the imperial statehood, and to the dominance of the aristocracy, the Heian Period was muddled…