History

The beginnings of Japanese history is shrouded in the mystery of time. Like other nations who take pride in its long existence, the available data on the events of this time up to the first recorded years are mainly dependent on mythology and archaeological findings. However, around the third or fourth century A.D., a powerful clan known as the Yamato emerged. It was about this time that the country had become sufficiently unified that the establishment of the Yamato clan was considered the beginning of the Japanese nation.

Chinese influences can be seen through Japan's written language, philosophy, music and painting. Buddhism was also a great influence from China. Crown Prince Shotoku, the leader of the Yamato clan during the 7th century further ensured the increase of Chinese influence in Japan when he sent an official embassy to China. Among his achievements were the establishment of Japan's first legal code, increased centralization of the government and the establishment of a system of official ranks that became the basis for Japan's aristocracy.

The Taika Reform attempted to change the social and economic structure of Japanese society. It abolished the formal system of clan rule and instead established an absolute monarchy. It also included a new system of land ownership. The events that came after that shaped Japan's history can be roughly summarized in the following periods:

1. Nara Period - The first Japanese capital was established in Nara near present day Kyoto. Nara was patterned after Changan, then capital of China. This period marked the beginning of an independent Japanese culture as many Japanese were no longer satisfied to merely imitate China.

2. Heian Period - The seat of government was transfered to Heiankyo, the capital. It was later called Kyoto. Chinese influence waned as the Japanese developed their own institutions. It was during this time that the class of Samurai or warriors was born. The Taira clan who ruled for twenty years came from this class. They were overthrown by the Minamoto clan.

3. Kamakura Period - The head of the Minamoto family, Youtomi, took up residence at Kamakura and laid the foundation for a government by military leaders or shoguns.

4. Muromachi and Azuchi - Momoyama Periods - The names were derived from the localities where the castles of the Shogun were situated. During this time, Toyotomi Hideyoshi was the master of the entire country. These two war-torn periods saw the development of the Noh, the tea ceremony and other forms of culture. It also saw the beginning of the Kabuki.

5. Edo Period - Tokugawa Ieyasu succeeded Hideyoshi. He established his Shogunate Government in Edo or the present day Tokyo. Japan enjoyed a peace unknown for a long time. However, it could be called peace within closed doors as the government barred all ports to foreigners except the Dutch and the Chinese. In 1854, two Japanese ports, Shimoda and Hakkodate opened to trade after conclusion of a treaty with America.

Similar pacts with England, Russia and the Netherlands followed. No longer secluded, Japan had to catch up with the outside world. The feudal system was ended and the imperial regime was restored in 1868.

6. Meiji, Taisho, Showa Eras - Edo was renamed Tokyo and became the national capital. This was a period of modernization, as political and financial systems of the west were introduced into the country and quickly assimilated. The events that occurred during this era were the war with China and Russia from which Japan came out victorious.

Japan sided with the Allied Powers during World War 1. Its military participation was limited to seizing German islands in the Pacific and German concessions in the Shantung peninsula in China. At about this time, Japan furthered its aggressive policy in China.

In 1937, clash of interests between Japan and China developed into a long war ultimately leading to the Pacific War. Japan was defeated and was occupied by the Allied Powers. Its independence was regained in 1952. Japan emerged as a nation on the road to democracy and peaceful prosperity.