This article examines the history of Japan and whether or not it experienced a period of darkness and decline. It is typically defined as a period of time in which there is a lack of progress, decline in cultural achievements, and general stagnation. Japan's earliest recorded history dates back to roughly 300 BC when it was inhabited by hunter-gatherer tribes. Over time these tribes developed into more complex societies with organized government structures and social hierarchies. During the Heian period (794-1185 AD) Buddhism was introduced from China, the capital was moved to Kyoto and feudalism emerged as a system whereby land owners granted their vassals land in exchange for military service. The Kamakura Shogunate (1185-1333 AD) saw an intensification of warfare between rival clans vying for control over various regions throughout Japan resulting in an overall weakening of central authority at Kyoto while simultaneously increasing regional autonomy among local warlords known as daimyo who controlled large tracts of land with their own armies loyal