Eras of Japan
The Asuka Era 538-710 - the first Era, Taika reform eticts
The Nara Era 710 - 794 - Another frequently cited great turning point in the history of Japan was the shift paralleling the emergence of the Nara Period. Approximately 710 C.E. marks the beginning of the Nara Period. As a symbol of building trends, the leadership corps in Japan decided to change the capital to the city of Nara. But the capital had oten been moved; wholly new was the kind of capital envisiond--the imperial house adopted the site plan of the great Tang city of Chang-an in China. Many other influences from the mainland were also very prominently adopted during this era, although several commenced generations earlier. Among them were Chinese Buddhism, which soon was proclaimed the official state religion to the dismay of ordinary island residents; further administrative reforms, following in the line of Taika Reforms commencing in 646 C.E., and a new writing system
The Heian Era 794-1192 - Following the Nara period was the Heian era, also highlighting a new capital city, founded in 794 C.E. From Nara to Heian Period offers a brief description of several distinctive changes of this era
All was not peace, however. For a discussion of the era surrounding the Heiji War,The Kanakuna Era 1192-1333 - In the Kamakura era, the capital was once again moved, this time to the town of Kamakura. It was then that the first strong shogunates came to power. Minamoto Yoritomi introduced the Kamakura bakufu at the end of the Heian era.
The Muromachi Era 1333-1497
Civil War Era 1497-1603
The Edo Era 1603-1867 The Edo era brought the establishment of a rigid social heirarchy and Tokyo as a leading city in Japan. Also at this point in time, the industrial age of the rest of the world is quickly catching up and invading Japan's isolationism. This is also an era of great culture and society. It is from this period that we can offer you some glimpses at the great Japanese traditions of high society.