Principle Japanese Historical Eras

710-794

794-1185

1185-1333

1338-1573

1467-1568

1568-1600

1600-1867

1853

1868-1912

1912-1926

1926-1989

1989-2019

2019-present

Nara Era (capital in Nara)

Heian Era (capital moved to Kyoto)

Kamakura Shogunate (military rulers take over governance)

Ashikaga Shogunate

Sengoku (Warring States) Era

Azuchi-Momoyama Era (unification under feudal shoguns)

Edo Period/Tokogawa Shogunate (capital moved to Edo—present-day Tokyo).

U. S. Admiral Perry opens Japanese ports for trade with the West

Meiji Era (Imperial authority restored)

Taisho Era (reign of Emperor Taisho)

Showa Era (reign of Emperor Hirohito)

Heisei Era (reign of Emperor Akihito)

Reiwa Era (reign of Emperor Naruhito)

NOTE: The kimono, art and antiques on this site date from the Meiji Era to the early Heisei Era of modern Japanese history.