Year |
Political Events |
Historical Events |
Cultural Era/Events |
|
B.C. |
|
||
|
~3,000 |
|
|
Jomon Culture |
|
660 |
This is the date given to the ascension of the first emperor, Jimmu |
|
|
|
300-100 |
|
|
Yayoi culture and Tomb culture |
|
A.D. |
|
|
|
|
57 |
An envoy is sent to the Han court in China |
|
|
|
369 |
|
Japanese warlords begin a series of invasions on Korea (until 562) |
|
|
391 |
|
|
Korean scholars introduce writing to Japan |
|
538~552 |
|
|
The Pekche (Korean) king sends an image of Buddha to Japan, marking the official entry of the religion Buddhism |
|
586 |
|
|
Buddhism gains the support of Emperor Yomei |
|
587 |
|
Soga Umako battles Mononobe at Shigisen over Buddhism |
|
|
592-628 |
Empress Suiko's reign |
|
|
|
593-622 |
Prince Shotoku- firm supporter of Buddhism and Chinese academics |
|
|
|
604 |
Prince Shotoku's "Constitution" |
|
|
|
607 |
The first united-Japan embassy to China |
|
The famous Horyuji monastery is built |
|
630 |
An embassy is sent to Chinese T'ang court |
|
|
|
645 |
The Taika Reforms |
|
|
|
661-671 |
Prince Naka-no-oye becomes Emperor Tenchi |
|
|
|
663 |
|
The Japanese army is defeated in Korea, and ally Pekche Kingdom is destroyed by Silla and T'ang |
|
|
702 |
Taiho Law Code |
|
|
|
708 |
Copper coins first used |
|
Horyuji monastery rebuilt |
|
710 |
Capital fixed in Nara |
|
|
Nara Period Begins |
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|
712 |
|
|
The Kojiki ("Record of Ancient Things") is compiled |
|
720 |
|
|
The Nihongi or Nihonshoki ("Chronicles of Japan) |
|
724-749 |
Emperor Shomu |
|
|
|
738-756 |
|
|
The Tempyo Period- Buddhism reaches a new level |
|
752 |
|
|
The Daibutu (Great Buddha) in Nara's Todaiji Temple is dedicated |
|
781-806 |
Emperor Kammu |
|
|
|
784 |
Capital is moved to Nagaoka |
|
|
|
794 |
Kyoto is established as Heian Capital |
|
|
Heian Period Begins
|
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|
800-803 |
|
Sakanouye Tamura defeats the Ainu in northern Honshu to become "sei-i tai-shogun" (barbarian subduing generalissimo) |
|
|
805 |
|
|
The monk Saicho introduces the Tendai Sect; the main temple is established at Enryakuji on Mt. Heiei |
|
806 |
|
|
The Shingon sect is introduced by the monk Kukai; the center is Mt. Koya |
Late Heian or Fujiwara Period 858-1185 |
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|
858-872 |
Fujiwara Yoshifusa becomes the first Regent not of the imperial family |
|
|
|
891 |
Sugawara Michizane takes power |
|
|
|
899 |
Fujiwara Tokihira removes Michizane |
|
|
|
930-949 |
Fujiwara Tadahira becomes regent |
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All images and content on this site, unless otherwise noted, are copyright John Worth. 2003