Japan

Kofun period

300 - 552 C.E.

Kofun are large, mound tombs, and the source of much of the art of this early period.

Nara period

710 - 794

During this short period, the Japanese court established its first permanent capital, and adopted Buddhism as its official religion.

Kamakura period

1185 - 1333

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The Kamakura period marked the beginning of feudal Japan and the samurai caste.

Muromachi period

1392 - 1573

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This period of intense social and political conflict gave rise to innovative artistic traditions.

Edo period

1615 - 1868

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Even within this strict feudal system, Japan saw the rise of arts that catered to merchants and intellectuals.

Heisei period

1989 - 2019

The Heisei (lit. "achieving piece") period corresponds to the reign of Akihito, Japan's 125th emperor. True to its name, Heisei was a period of peace, but it also witnessed economic stagnation and natural disasters. Culturally, Heisei saw the establishment of new art museums and the adoption of new means of expression among Japanese artists, always in dialogue with tradition.