Yoritomo Minamoto, born in Japan in 1147, is an iconic figure in Japanese history and a pioneer who left his mark on the samurai era. As founder of the Kamakura shogunate, he played a key role in establishing a new political and military system in Japan. In this article, we delve into the life of …
Yoritomo Minamoto: An influential pioneer of the samurai era Read More »
Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子, Shōtoku Taishi): a key figure of Japan’s Asuka Period Prince Shōtoku, born February 7, 574 in Nara and died April 8, 622, is a major historical figure of Japan’s Asuka Period. Regent and politician of the Imperial Court, he is credited with initiating numerous social, political, religious and cultural reforms that greatly …
The Sakoku period is one of the most fascinating periods in Japanese history. This period, which lasted from 1633 to 1853, is characterized by a policy of isolating Japan from the rest of the world, a policy that was put in place to protect Japanese culture and tradition from foreign influences. Historical background and establishment …
The Sakoku period: When Japan was isolated from the world. Read More »
Himeji Castle, also known as White Heron Castle because of its pure white color, is one of the architectural gems of Japan. Located in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, the castle is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Japan and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Himeji Castle was built in …
Himeji Castle: a jewel of Japanese feudal architecture Read More »
Okayama Castle is a Japanese castle located in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. It is also known as U-jo, the “Black Crow” because of its walls made of black wooden boards. This is in contrast to the nearby Himeji Castle which is called the “White Heron”. It is considered as one of the most beautiful …
Tanaka Hisashige was born in Kurume, Chikugo Province (now Fukuoka Prefecture), as the eldest child of a turtle-shell craftsman. He was an apprentice from an early age and was gifted in the art. At the age of eight, he invented an inkstone case with a secret lock, which required a cord to be twisted in …
Tanaka Hisashige: a Japanese craftsman and inventor Read More »
Hideyo Noguchi (野口 英世) was a Japanese physician and scientist born November 9, 1876. Noguchi is known for his contributions to syphilis research and also worked on yellow fever. Noguchi began his medical career in Japan, but soon joined the Rockefeller Institute for Tropical Medicine in New York in 1914. At that time, his work …
Hideyo Noguchi: the discoverer of the agent of syphilis Read More »
The Nara period is an important chapter in Japanese history, which took place between 710 and 794. It was a period of great political stability and cultural development, which saw the birth of a more organized society and the formation of a single national identity. At the beginning of the Nara period, Japan was still …
After the battle of Sekigahara (1600 ), Tokugawa Ieyasu who succeeded Hideyoshi took the old title of Shogun, after having defeated his last opponents. He will then establish the longest of the dynasties which will reign without sharing during almost three centuries of internal peace. In order to make a break with the other dynasties, …
THE EDO PERIOD: The Tokugawa Shogunate 1603-1867 Read More »
THE MUROMACHI PERIOD (1333-1573) The Muromachi period is a period of Japanese history that took place between the years 1336 and 1573. It is named after the Muromachi district in Kyoto, where the seat of the shogunate of Japan was located. This period is characterized by the decline of imperial power in Kyoto and the …
