B5Ancient+Japanese+History

 ANCIENT JAPANESE HISTORY By タレン　ワラ− and ジェシカ　リンフレット (source: http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ANCJAPANI.HTM)  Japan 1st appears in history in 57AD when it is metioned by the Chinese historians
 *  The Japanese were reffered to as the "わ" people by the Chinese
 *  Chinese historians describe a land filled with thousands of tribes without writing or political cohesion
 *  Japan was influenced by China and Korea, and gained part of their culture
 *  China brought them Buddhism, government, and a basic writing system

(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Japan) The different time periods in Japanese history are:  **じょもん period** (14,000 - 400BC)
 * The Japanese were mainly hunter gatherers during this period.

 **やよい Period** (400BC - 250AD)
 * Rice culture is introduced
 * Japan is ruled by powerful land owners

 **こふん Period** (250 - 538)
 * Country was united as Yamato Japan

 **あすか Period** (538 - 710)
 * Japan is governed by emperor and several powerful clans
 * Buddhism arrives in Japan

 **なら Period** (710 - 794)
 * Capital city moves to Nara
 * First outbreak of Smallpox in Japan occurs
 * Taxes and coins are put into effect

 **へいあん Period** (794 - 1185) 
 * is the beginning of the Samurai Culture
 * capital moves to Kyoto
 * most peaceful time in Japanese history

 **かみくら Period** (1185 - 1333)
 * Mongols try to invade Japan, but are driven away

 **むろまち Period** (1333 - 1573)
 * a Portugese ship arrives in Japan, and after this other trading ships continue to arrive, oopening the country's eyes to new techonology

<span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> **あずち-ももやま Period** (1573 - 1603)
 * Japan is more united, military grows stronger
 * They try to take over neighbouring countries of China and Korea, but fail
 * were under the leadership of Toyotomi Hideyoshi

<span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> **えど Period** (1603 - 1868)
 * Tokogawa clan rules from Edo, near present day tokyo
 * Daimyo come into power
 * Highest class in society is the samurai class
 * Boshun war takes place, putting Japan under the rule of an emperor again

<span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> Famous Japanese Castles built during some of these time periods were made mostly for the samurai and shoguns. Many have defenses for war purposes. The ひめじ castle was involved in the かきつ and おにん Wars and was restored by Toyotomi Hideoyoshi, who also was responsible for Japans two attempts top invade Korea and China. Both attempts were failures and after Toyotomi died, Japan no longer tried to invade either country. <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
 * The Himeji Castle:**
 * <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> The largest castle in Japan
 * <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> Nicknamed the White Heron because of architecture
 * <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> Finest surviving castle from ancient Japan
 * <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> Part of the castle's amazing defense is a maze of pathways in order to reach the main keep
 * <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> Constructed during the Muromachi Period (1333 - 1573)
 * <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> Was auctioned at 23 yen in 1871, which was apparently expensive in those days
 * <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> Movies such as James Bond and the Last Samurai have been filmed at the castle and some video games include it as well

<span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> Two other famous castles are the Matsumoto and Kunamoto Castles
 * <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumamoto_Castle <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
 * <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #e6caed; TEXT-ALIGN: center">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsumoto_Castle