Early Japan

The Jomon which was in power from 13000 BC to 300 BC were the first inhabitants of Japan. The people of that time were hunter, fisher, and gathers.

The second period which was known as the Yayoi period also got their name from the pottery they made. This period lasted from 300 BC to 300 AD. Rice was introduced during this time and social class began to develop.

The Soga clan soon took over the actual political power, resulting in the fact that most of the emperors only acted as the symbol of the state and performed shinto rituals

Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the year 538 or 552 and was promoted by the ruling class.

In 645, Nakatomi no Kamatari started the era of the Fujiwara clan that was to last until the rise of the military class the Samurai. In the same year, the Taika reforms were realized: A new government and administrative system was established after the Chinese model. All land was bought by the state and redistributed equally among the farmers in a large land reform in order to introduce the new tax system that was also adopted from China.

Nara and Heian Periods Kamakura Period Muromachi Period Azuchi-Momyama Period

Meiji Period Taisho and Early Showa Period Postwar Period Edo Period