Empire · 250–1333 · East Asia
Imperial Japan (Yamato to Kamakura)
Also known as Yamato, Imperial Japan (Fujiwara), Shogun Japan (Kamakura)
From around 250 CE, the age of great keyhole-shaped burial mounds, the Yamato kings of the Nara basin gradually brought the clans of central and western Japan under their rule. Adopting Buddhism, Chinese writing and Tang-style law codes between the 6th and 8th centuries, they became emperors governing from planned capitals at Nara and, from 794, Heian-kyo, now Kyoto.
In the Heian period the Fujiwara family ruled as regents for child emperors, and court culture produced masterpieces such as The Tale of Genji. Provincial warrior clans grew powerful, and after the Genpei War Minamoto no Yoritomo set up a military government, the shogunate, at Kamakura in 1185. The Kamakura regents of the Hojo family repelled Mongol invasions in 1274 and 1281, but strained by the cost, the shogunate fell in 1333.
- Years
- 250–1333
- Capital
- Asuka, then Nara (710) and Heian-kyo, now Kyoto (794); Kamakura for the shogunate
- Greatest extent
- 1300, about 280,000 km²
- Region
- East Asia
Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu (approximate land area)
Legacy
This era created Japan's imperial institution, the world's oldest continuous hereditary monarchy, and the samurai culture of the shogunate.
Rulers
- Empress Suiko 593 – 628
Reigned with Prince Shotoku as regent; promoted Buddhism
- Emperor Kanmu 781 – 806
Moved the capital to Heian-kyo
- Fujiwara no Michinaga dominant at court 995 – 1027 (regent 1016 – 1017)
Height of Fujiwara power at court
- Minamoto no Yoritomo 1185 – 1199 (shogun from 1192)
Founded the Kamakura shogunate
- Hojo Tokimune regent 1268 – 1284
Repelled the Mongol invasions
Realms on the map
- Asuka Japan 540–709
- Nara Japan 710–792
- Heian Japan 793–1187
- Kamakura Shogunate 1188–1332