Learning Japanese 101
- Introduction to Japanese
- Japanese Writing System: Katakana
- Japanese Writing System: Kanji
- Intermediate Grammar
- Vocabulary Building
- Conversational Japanese
- Business Japanese
- Japanese Culture and Society
- Listening Practice
Japanese Culture and Society
Japanese History Overview
Account of past events in the Japanese civilisation.
Understanding the history of Japan is crucial to understanding its present. This article provides a brief overview of Japanese history, from ancient times to the present day, and discusses the impact of historical events on contemporary Japanese society.
Ancient Japan
The history of Japan begins with the Jomon period (14,000 B.C. to 300 B.C.), characterized by a hunter-gatherer culture. The subsequent Yayoi period (300 B.C. to 300 A.D.) saw the introduction of rice cultivation, metalworking, and the formation of tribal communities.
Classical Japan
The Asuka period (592-710) marked the introduction of Buddhism and the Chinese writing system. The Nara period (710-794) saw the establishment of a centralized government, while the Heian period (794-1185) was a time of cultural flourishing, with the development of unique Japanese styles in literature, art, and architecture.
Feudal Japan
The Kamakura period (1185-1333) marked the rise of the samurai class and the establishment of a military government. The subsequent Muromachi period (1336-1573) was a time of civil war, while the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1603) saw the unification of Japan under the rule of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The Edo period (1603-1868), under the Tokugawa shogunate, was a time of peace and isolation from the outside world. This period saw the flourishing of arts such as kabuki and ukiyo-e, and the development of a distinct urban culture in cities like Edo (modern Tokyo).
Modern Japan
The Meiji period (1868-1912) marked the end of the shogunate and the restoration of imperial rule. Japan underwent rapid modernization and westernization, transforming from a feudal society to a modern industrial nation.
The Taisho period (1912-1926) was a time of political liberalization and increasing democracy. The Showa period (1926-1989), encompassing World War II and the post-war era, saw Japan's rise as a military power, its defeat in the war, and its subsequent recovery to become one of the world's leading economic powers.
Contemporary Japan
The Heisei period (1989-2019) and the current Reiwa period (2019-present) have seen Japan grappling with issues such as an aging population, economic stagnation, and the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
The history of Japan is a rich tapestry of cultural evolution, political change, and economic development. Understanding this history is key to understanding the complexities of contemporary Japanese society.