I wake up from a fantastic sleep at the Park Hotel in Tokyo. I decide to really get some culture into me. But first I check my balance. $3969. Still got money. I go to the breakfast down the 21st floor. So now I don't have to pay to eat breakfast and lunch just dinner. Then I decide to go to the National Museum of Japanese History. I heard they have the Japanese military uniforms and reenactments from WWII. I want to go see that. So I call the Nihon Kotsu taxi's to come pick me up. It’s a 1 hour trip, but I want to see the colorful city myself. We arrive there and I see the grandness of the museum. You know before it was a research center for the Japanese universities. Now they cram all the history in this gigantic building. I walk up front and pay the entrance fee of ¥250 or $2.00. I walk in and see already samurai armor, swords, and lots of bamboo. Then miniature cities of people. They put ALOT of details on the little cities. I even saw one samurai soldier with a cross on his chest. Very DETAILED. Then I come across Japanese soldiers and how their quarters looked during the war. So neat. Now the history of Japan is not very clear. They are set in periods not years like the 1800's but more like Edo period and so forth. Also Japan was isolated from the rest of the world for quite some time. But let me give you an explanation. In the Jomon period the early Japanese were gatherers, hunters and fishers. Cave men but Japanese. In the Yayoi period the introduction of rice agriculture begins the development of a social classes and hundreds of small governed states that started to unify into a larger country. By the beginning of the Kofun period a center of power had developed in the fertile Kinai plain, and by about 400 AD the country was united as Yamato Japan with its political center in and around the province of Yamato. During the Asuka Period, the influence from the mainland increased strongly thanks to friendly relations to the kingdom of Kudara (or Paikche) on the Korean peninsula. Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the year 538 or 552 and was promoted by the wealthy class. In the Nara period becomes the first permanent capital. The capital moves to Nagaoka.
In the Heian period the capital moves to Heian (Kyoto). Fujiwara Michinaga becomes regent. The Taira clan under Taira Kiyomori takes over the power after the Heiji war. The Buddhist Jodo sect (Pure land sect) is introduced. In the Gempei War, the Minamoto clan puts an end to Taira supremacy. In the Kamakura period The Zen sect is introduced. Minamoto Yoritomo is appointed shogun and establishes the Kamakura government. The Jokyu Disturbance ends a struggle between Kamakura and Kyoto resulting in the supremacy of the Hojo regents in Kamakura. But unfortunately the Kamakura fall or is over run. In the Muromachi period Kemmu restoration: the emperor restores power over Japan. Ashikaga Takauji captures Kyoto. The emperor flees and establishes the Southern court in Yoshino. Takauji establishes the Muromachi government and a second emperor in Kyoto (Northern court). But then the Muromachi clan fell also. In the Azuchi Momoyama period the Takeda clan is defeated in the battle of Nagashino. Nobunaga is murdered and succeeded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi confiscates the weapons of farmers and religious institutions in the "Sword Hunt". Japan is reunited after the fall of Odawara (Hojo). Then the unsuccessful invasion of Korea. Tokugawa the dude that’s going to reunite Japan is defeating all his other warlord foes. The Edo period Ieyasu is appointed shogun and establishes the Tokugawa government in Edo (Tokyo). Shoguns are like rulers for a specific govern state. Ieyasu intensifies persecution of Christianity. The Toyotomi clan is destroyed after Ieyasu captures Osaka Castle. Almost complete isolation of Japan from the rest of the world. This is the golden period for everyone. All the technology advances and things get running. Until a U.S general is sent to gain trade with the island. Things get a little messy and people are in a big war. Like Japanese steel versus American ammunition. There is actually a movie about this. The Meiji period Meiji is restored. First railway line between Tokyo and Yokohama. The Meiji Constitution is promulgated. Sino-Japanese War. Many countries get involved to get Japan to trade with the neighboring countries. Showa Manchurian Incident. Second Sino-Japanese War starts. Yes this happens again. Stubborn Japan. When will you learn? Oh wait, you got bombed. Pacific War starts. Japan surrenders after two atomic bombs are dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The modern Heise period the LDP loses its majority in the diet. The Great Hanshin Earthquake hits Kobe. Sarin Gas attack in the Tokyo subway by AUM sect. The AUM sect is a Doomsday cult that believes killing unpureed souls is very good for ridding evil. They are a Japanese terrorist group close to the Yakuza. The Democratic Party of Japan becomes the ruling party. Great East Japan Earthquake. After seeing more armor and swords, I decide to get out the museum. Really good history. Except we killed so many people with the atomic bomb. I go back to my hotel in Tokyo and just sit there. Japan is a place of peace and prosperity. Very peaceful. I go to the dinner buffet and get me some "caveman meat" thetas what they call meat on a bone. Sayōnara, sugu ni anata o sanshō shite kudasai or bye and see you soon.