Here's a TIMELINE of Events:
1334Kemmu restoration: the emperor restores power over Japan.
1336 Ashikaga Takauji captures Kyoto.
1337 The emperor flees and establishes the Southern court in Yoshino.
1338 Takauji establishes the Muromachi government and a second emperor in Kyoto (Northern court).
1392 Unification of the Southern and Northern courts.
1467-1477 Onin war. 1542 Portuguese introduce firearms and christianity to Japan.
1568 Nobunaga enters Kyoto.
1573 The Muromachi Bakufu falls.
- The Shoguns of Japan -
Minamoto Yoritomo (?-1199) --- Started Kamakura period
Yoritomo established a bakufu (tent government) in 1185. Many times, his rule is refered to as a shogunate, but he refered to it as a bakufu. He restored order in Japan and in 1232, his heirs wrote the Joei Code, Japan's first militaristic law. However, after his death the shoguns became puppets for the Hojo Regency.
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1368 - 1408) --- Started Muromachi Shogunate
During this time he was able to control the central provinces, but lost his influence over outer regions. Yoshimitsu established trade with Ming China. Domestic production also increased through improvements in agriculture and the consequences of a new inheritance system. These economic changes resulted in the development of markets, several kinds of towns and new social classes.
Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616) --- Started Tokugawa (Edo) Shogunate
Ieyasu was a shrewd general who came into power during the Civil War. He bided his time, making alliances with other generals, and waited until Hideyoshi died before taking power. During his rule, Shogun and Daimyo were further strengthened. He weakened enemy daimyo and strengthened his rule. He is best remembered for his further isolationism of Japan, and Japan didn't trade with Europe (except the Netherlands) until 200 years later. He also abolished guns, which were dishonorable, but still used ninjas and brought honor into the title.
[Daimyo Graphic]
Takeda Shingen (1520-73)
Takeda Shingen was antagonized by Oda Nobunaga. He ruled the province of Kai, and may have ruled Japan had not he been was shot by a sniper. He died soon after. However, after his death, his son proved to be a poor leader and lost the war. His supporters hid his death for several years (until April 1575) following the fact.
Uesugi (Kagetora) Kenshin (1530-1578)
Born Kagetora Kenshin, he was adopted into the Uesugi clan at 21 because he provided refuge for Uesugi Norimasa after his defeat at the hands of the Hojo clan. In 1561 he succeeded to the head of the Uesugi Clan of the Kanto. He and Shingen were great rivals, but were said to have respected each other. They both fought with honor, and when Kenshin destroyed Shingen's salt stores, he was said to have given Shingen some, saying "I do not fight with salt but with the sword". He became a monk, and depicted bald in reliefs.
Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582)
Nobunaga is remembered as a ruthless warrior who subjugated most of Japan under his rule. Much of his success was do to his development of rifles from those found washed up from European ships.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598)
Hideyoshi was one of Nobunaga's generals. After Nobunaga's assassination by Akechi, Hideyoshi gained control of his armies and all of Japan. Because of his birth, he never became shogun, although he was in spirit. He tried to conquer China, but failed greatly, and died trying.
