Japanese history: Did you mean...?

Japanese persimmon.

This ceremonial object in the shape of a staff is made of Jasper. It is Japanese and it dates to the 4th century CE, during the Kofun period. (Tokyo National Museum)

A scene from the 1952 film The Life of Oharu showing a female puppet and handler as used in Japanese puppet theatre.

Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1725) was a Japanese playwright who wrote for both the puppet theatre and kabuki. He is regarded as Japan’s greatest dramatist. Apart from their aesthetic appeal, his plays are of value because they provide an insight...

Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598 CE) was a Japanese military leader who, along with his predecessor Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582 CE) and his successor Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616 CE), is credited with unifying Japan in the 16th century CE. Hideyoshi...

The 'Tale of the Genji' or Genji Monogatari, written in the 11th century CE by Murasaki Shikibu, a court lady, is Japan's oldest novel and possibly the first novel in world literature. The classic of Japanese literature, the work describes...

Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604-1651) governed Japan as the third shogun of the Edo period. He implemented a number of important policies that not only consolidated his family's hold on power but also greatly impacted Japanese society for several...

The creation story of Japan illustrated with Japanese Art. This video describes the birth of the gods Izanagi, Izamani, Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Takehaya Susanoo, and why the emperor is believed to be divine.

The diet of ancient Japan was heavily influenced by its geography as an archipelago, foodstuffs and eating habits imported from mainland Asia, religious beliefs, and an appreciation for the aesthetic appearance of dishes, not just the taste...

Map depicting Medieval Japan and its trade relations with its neighbours, China and Korea. The map shows the major trade goods exchanged between Japan, China, and Korea. Black lines show the approximate routes taken by the Wako Pirates. Each...