The Minneapolis Institute of Arts artsmia.org - Museum Home Page
The Art of Asia
Introduction
History & Maps
Chinese Dynasty Guide
Japanese Historical Periods
Jomon Period
Yayoi Period
Kofun Period
Asuka Period
Shinto
Nara Period
Heian Period
Kamakura Period
Muromachi Period
Momoyama Period
Edo Period
Korean Historical Periods
Maps
Buddhism
Explore the Collection
History
Guide To Japanese Historical Periods


Jomon Period
Japan Time Line Edo Period Momoyama Period Muromachi Period Heian Period Nara Period Asuka Period Kofun Period Yayoi Period Jomon Period

From This Period

Nio Guardian
Nio Guardians

Jizo Bosatsu
Jizo Bosatsu


Kamakura Period

1185-1333

In 1185, Minamoto no Yorimoto proclaimed himself the Shogun (military dictator) of the country and moved the seat of government to Kamakura, a small village in Eastern Japan that gives its name to this historical period. The new government soon set about rebuilding many temples in Nara that had been destroyed during military campaigns. Sculptors were inspired by the works of the late Nara period, but created a new style with greater emphasis on realism. Secular paintings, too, were more realistic and literal in conception, in accordance to the military leaders' pragmatism.