Japan and the Shoguns

Who were Japan's first inhabitants?

Which clan established the first Japanese state around the fourth century CE?

What did the torii gateways at Shintō shrines symbolize?

What marked the beginning of the shōgunate or feudal period of Japanese history?

When did woodblock art flourish in Japan?

Which religious structure contains the largest bronze statue of Buddha in the world?

The Ashikaga shōgunate was a time of significant artistic achievement and cultural development in Japan.

What type of items are listed as National Treasures in Japan?

What significant feature did the capital city of Nara have by the eighth century?

Which clan established the first Japanese state around the fourth century CE?

What was the main reason for the Tokugawa shōguns to control international trade?

The Tokugawa shōguns encouraged the spread of Christianity in Japan.

The Mongol invasion of Japan was successful due to the strength of the Mongol army.

What do paintings from Japan's past often depict?

Japanese woodblock printing was carried out by painting on block of wood and then printing this on to paper.

How did Japan’s first inhabitants arrive on what is now Shikoku island?

The first inhabitants of Japan settled on Kyūshū island.

The first inhabitants of Japan arrived there by boat.

What does the construction of many temples in a particular period indicate about that era?

The emperor’s title for the leading samurai, ‘seii taishōgun,’ was shortened to ‘shōgun.’

What does the production of large bronze Buddha statues indicate about certain periods in Japan's history?

1      The warrior code of the samurai was known as bushido.

The Fujiwara clan controlled most of the important offices in the royal court from the seventh to twelfth centuries.

The Yamato rulers based their central government on a legal system and Chinese traditions.

What was the role of the shōgun during the Tokugawa period?

The position of shōgun was often peacefully passed between members of powerful families during the Kamakura period.

What can the construction techniques, materials, and designs of surviving buildings tell us about Japan’s past?

What was a significant cultural and architectural influence on the city of Nara?

The Tokugawa shōgunate established Edo as the administrative center of Japan, which later became Tokyo.

Which traditional Japanese craft can provide insights into life in past centuries?