Japanese historical periods gained their name chiefly from the pottery of the age, although the Japanese were predominantly a fishing class since ancient times. The Jomon period and Yayoi period all derived their names from the pottery of the age. Each period is marked however with its unique distinctiveness which sets it apart from other periods besides making important contribution to
Japanese history.
- The Jomon period which lasted from 13000 to 300 BC is today remembered for its Jamon pottery but the following period is much more significant.
- The Yayoi period (300 BC to 300 AD) is notable for two landmark contributions to Japanese civilization. One was the import of iron and other modern ideas into Japan from Korea and the other, the rise of social classes.
- The Kofun period followed the Yayoi period and lasted until 538 AD. The period owes its name to large structures called kofun, erected during the period, and dedicated to political leaders of the age. The period first witnessed a unified Japan under the name of Yamato Japan which was based in Yamato (in modern-day Nara prefecture). The period was also witness to the import of Buddhism from Korea around 538 or 552 AD and Chinese Confucianism and Taoism also gained influence around 645 AD. The Emperor was head of state for the first time in Japan .
Successive dynasties gained control of Japan in the following ages but the most significant occurrence in
Japanese history throughout all these periods was the rise of the
Samurai in the 11 th century. These military lords went on to actually rule Japan until 1868 when
Emperor Meiji regained complete control over Japan's administration and the feudal class, together with the Samurai, were abolished forever. Japan came under Western influence hugely during Meiji era when reforms modeled on Western ideas rapidly gripped the country. The
education system was rebuilt on French and German lines and the Country's defense was strengthened following Prussian and British examples.
The Bank of Japan was established in the 1880's and
Japan 's constituency , modeled on European style, was established in 1889. However, power lay vested with the Emperor and he took full care to avoid Western infiltration into the country's economy or its administration.
Japan 's strong military base soon led to higher ambitions and by the turn of the century
Japan was fully engulfed in wars over territorial acquisitions. In the
first Sino-Japanese War Japan took control of Taiwan in 1894-95. Japan acquired a respectable position in world politics following its victory in the
Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05. The
second Sino-Japanese War in 1937 ultimately saw Japan being engulfed in full-fledged war crimes. It joined the Axis forces in 1940 in
World War II. The curtain was forcibly dropped on its ambitions with the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings in1945 and the Emperor surrendered unconditionally in August 1945.
The war completely ravaged
Japan 's economy furthermore making it servile to the Allied forces until 1952. Its territory came under Russian and American control and only with the signing of the
Peace Treaty in 1952 was foreign occupation ended. It lost all its earlier occupied foreign territories but art and culture flourished under Western influence. In 1972 Okinawa islands were returned to Japan but dispute over Kurile Island with Russia continues. A
new constitution was adopted in 1947 which curbed any further military aspirations of Japan .
The
Korean War was largely responsible in recovering
Japan 's industry which truly flourished following the war. However the economy faced a downfall owing to the oil crisis in 1973 following which the focus of the economy was shifted to
high-technology industries.
