Learning About Japanese History

One of the most interesting topics in world history is the Japanese history. as we all know, Japan has experienced years of isolation from the outside...

Tomoko Asai

One of the most interesting topics in world history is the Japanese history. as we all know, Japan has experienced years of isolation from the outside world but it did not prevent Japan from rising. Japanese history is rich in culture, events and it can be broken down into periods. There is more to the religious ceremonies, the temples, shrines and parks that you see in this country.
Japanese history began with the migration of humans form the Asian mainland. During the Jomon period, pottery in Japan began. It is also the period when people went out to hunt for food such as fish and meat. The next period in the Japanese history is the Yatoi period wherein rice was brought from Korean mainland. Political and social systems emerged during the Kofun period. Emergence of Buddhism also happened in this time and it influenced Japanese history. Buddhism also came to Japan from Korea. It has led to the widespread literacy because part of the Buddhism teachings is the familiarization of the Chinese classics.
Japanese history then experienced a period wherein clans were inferior because of the rising central government. This political system was based primarily on the Chinese style of ruling. Heian period came next and Kyoto was the imperial capital during that time. However, the Chinese style of political scheme has broken down and so aristocrats were the ones given power to rule some areas. This was the time in Japanese history wherein Minamoto Yoritomo was the shogun. He was busy establishing a capital somewhere else. He hired samurai warriors to protect him and his shogunate. If you want to have a view of the architectural structure built during his reign, you can go to Osaka and see the magnificent Osaka temple. In Japanese history, the isolation happened during the Edo period. Now, Edo is already Tokyo, which is the present capital of Japan. During this period, the merchants played a vital role. In 1868, Meiji restoration happened. It was in this period of the Japanese history when the samurais and shogunates were disbanded.
In addition, the Meiji emperors decided to step into modernization, which was a very significant event in Japanese history. The period next to that is the Taisho period. This was when the country felt an economic boost but after that, the militant period occurred. This was one of the most unforgettable events in Japanese history. Two atomic bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Despite the bombings, Japan proved its strength and independence by building a modern culture. This is the period in Japanese history when industrialization was a priority. This has led to the success of Japan and it was recognized throughout the world. Infrastructures, mega-shopping complexes, and tourist spots covered Japan after the wars. Nowadays, tourist spots and buildings are established in Mei, Gifu, and in Nagoya. Shrines are evident in Nagano and in Hokkaido.
Japanese history would never be complete without the modernization and industrialization that happened. Today, it is a country known for its technological advancements and it is pioneer of machinery. Indeed, Japanese history is incomparable. These are just some of the reasons why Japanese history remains as one of the most interesting part in world history.

http://www.centraljapan.jp is a Website of Nagoya Avenues magazine, [Central Japan] (link: http://www.centraljapan.jp) information portal for Nagoya, Aichi, Gifu, Mie areas.