Nagasaki: History, Former Names & Timeline
During Japan’s period of isolation the only port open to Dutch and Chinese traders; destroyed by an atomic bomb in 1945.
NagasakiExplore Nagasaki in the interactive map
Former names of Nagasaki
| From | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1571 | Nagasaki |
Timeline of Nagasaki
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1571 | The port is opened to Portuguese ships |
| 1580 | The daimyo Ōmura Sumitada grants Nagasaki to the Jesuits |
| 1597 | Twenty-six Christians are executed at Nagasaki |
| 1641 | The Dutch trading post is moved to Dejima |
| 1945 | An American atomic bomb destroys the city on 9 August |
Who ruled Nagasaki
Derived from the border maps; each row runs until the next recorded border change.
| Period | State |
|---|---|
| 500 BC–401 BC | Late Jomon culture |
| 400 BC–324 BC | Yayoi |
| 323 BC–99 | Unclaimed / no data |
| 100–199 | Yayoi |
| 200–499 | Unclaimed / no data |
| 500–799 | Yamato |
| 800–899 | Japan |
| 900–999 | Yamato |
| 1000–1299 | Imperial Japan (Fujiwara) |
| 1300–1399 | Shogun Japan (Kamakura) |
| 1400–1491 | Ashikaga Shogunate |
| 1492–1599 | Japan |
| 1600–1649 | Japan (Warring States) |
| 1650–1782 | Tokugawa shogunate |
| 1783–1879 | Japan |
| 1880–1913 | Imperial Japan |
| 1914–1944 | Empire of Japan |
| 1945–1959 | Japan (USA) |
| 1960–today | Japan |
Battles and sites near Nagasaki
Nearby cities
Questions about Nagasaki
Which states have ruled Nagasaki?
On the historical border maps from 500 BC to today, Nagasaki lies within 12 different states: Late Jomon culture, Yayoi, Yamato, Japan, Imperial Japan (Fujiwara), Shogun Japan (Kamakura), Ashikaga Shogunate, Japan (Warring States), Tokugawa shogunate, Imperial Japan and others.
What are the key dates in the history of Nagasaki?
1571: The port is opened to Portuguese ships. 1580: The daimyo Ōmura Sumitada grants Nagasaki to the Jesuits. 1597: Twenty-six Christians are executed at Nagasaki. 1641: The Dutch trading post is moved to Dejima. 1945: An American atomic bomb destroys the city on 9 August.