The Heian period ( 平安時代 , Heian jidai ) is the last division of classical Japanese history , running from 794 to 1185. It followed the Nara period , beginning when the 50th emperor, Emperor Kammu , moved the capital of Japan to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto ). Heian ( 平安 ) means ' peace ' in Japanese. It is a period in Japanese history when the Chinese influences were in decline and the national culture matured. The Heian period is also considered the peak of the Japanese imperial court , noted for its art , especially poetry and literature . Two syllabaries unique to Japan, katakana and hiragana , emerged during this time. This gave rise to Japan's famous vernacular literature, with many of its texts written by court women who were not as educated in Chinese as their male counterparts.
60-654: Saiko may refer to: Saikō , a Japanese era Saiko , a Spanish singer Saiko (band) , a Chilean rock band Saiko Lake , in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan People [ edit ] Ema Saikō ( 江馬 細香 , 1787–1861) , Japanese painter, poet and calligrapher Jean-Philippe Saïko (born 1990), New Caledonian footballer Shaun Saiko (born 1989), Canadian soccer player Saiko Takahashi ( 高橋 彩子 , born 1976) , Japanese women's footballer See also [ edit ] Psycho (disambiguation) Saikot ,
120-640: A de facto return to conditions before the Taika Reform . Within decades of Daigo's death, the Fujiwara had absolute control over the court. By the year 1000, Fujiwara no Michinaga was able to enthrone and dethrone emperors at will. Little authority was left for traditional institutions, and government affairs were handled through the Fujiwara clan's private administration. The Fujiwara had become what historian George B. Sansom has called "hereditary dictators". Despite their usurpation of imperial authority,
180-631: A certain courtier tried to ask her advice about how to write a poem to the Empress Sadako , she had to politely rebuke him because his writing was so poor. The lyrics of the modern Japanese national anthem, Kimigayo , were written in the Heian period, as was The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu , which was extremely important to the Heian court, and one of the first novels ever written. Murasaki Shikibu's contemporary and rival Sei Shōnagon's revealing observations and musings as an attendant in
240-582: A greater "organizational dynamism". The iconography of the Heian period is widely known in Japan, and depicted in various media, from traditional festivals to anime . Various festivals feature Heian dress – most notably Hinamatsuri (doll festival), where the dolls wear Heian dress, but also numerous other festivals, such as Aoi Matsuri in Kyoto (May) and Saiō Matsuri in Meiwa, Mie (June), both of which feature
300-406: A lack of a sense of Japan as a single nation. Under the early courts, when military conscription had been centrally controlled, military affairs had been taken out of the hands of the provincial aristocracy. But as the system broke down after 792, local power holders again became the primary source of military strength. The re-establishment of an efficient military system was made gradually through
360-688: A process of trial-and-error. At that time the imperial court did not possess an army but rather relied on an organization of professional warriors composed mainly of oryoshi, which were appointed to an individual province and tsuibushi, which were appointed over imperial circuits or for specific tasks. This gave rise to the Japanese military class. Nonetheless, final authority rested with the imperial court. Shōen holders had access to manpower and, as they obtained improved military technology (such as new training methods, more powerful bows, armor, horses, and superior swords) and faced worsening local conditions in
420-408: A solid medium of economic exchange is implicitly illustrated in novels of the time. For instance, messengers were rewarded with useful objects such as an old silk kimono , rather than being paid a monetary fee. The Fujiwara rulers failed to maintain adequate police forces, which left robbers free to prey on travelers. This is implicitly illustrated in novels by the terror that night travel inspired in
480-459: A succession struggle among his sons, two new offices were established in an effort to adjust the Taika – Taihō administrative structure. Through the new Emperor's Private Office, the emperor could issue administrative edicts more directly and with more self-assurance than before. The new Metropolitan Police Board replaced the largely ceremonial imperial guard units. While these two offices strengthened
540-769: A village in Uttarakhand, India Seiko (disambiguation) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Saiko . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saiko&oldid=1255470776 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Disambiguation pages with given-name-holder lists Disambiguation pages with surname-holder lists Japanese feminine given names Feminine given names Hidden categories: Articles containing Japanese-language text Short description
600-468: Is based on Vajrayana Buddhism. It was brought to Japan by the monk Kūkai . Shingon Buddhism emphasizes the use of symbols, rituals, incantations and mandalas, which gave it a wide appeal. Kūkai greatly impressed the emperors who succeeded Emperor Kammu, and also generations of Japanese, not only with his holiness but also with his poetry, calligraphy, painting, and sculpture. Both Kūkai and Saichō aimed to connect state and religion and establish support from
660-3158: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Saik%C5%8D Period of Japanese history (854–857 CE) Part of a series on the History of Japan [REDACTED] Periods Paleolithic before 14,000 BC Jōmon 14,000–1000 BC Yayoi 1000 BC – 300 AD Kofun 300–538 AD Asuka 538–710 Nara 710–794 Heian Former Nine Years' War Later Three-Year War Genpei War 794–1185 Kamakura Jōkyū War Mongol invasions Genkō War Kenmu Restoration 1185–1333 Muromachi Nanboku-chō period Sengoku period 1336–1573 Azuchi–Momoyama Nanban trade Imjin War Battle of Sekigahara 1573–1603 Edo (Tokugawa) Tokugawa shogunate Invasion of Ryukyu Siege of Osaka Sakoku Perry Expedition Convention of Kanagawa Bakumatsu Meiji Restoration Boshin War 1603–1868 Meiji Ryūkyū Disposition Invasion of Taiwan (1874) Satsuma Rebellion First Sino-Japanese War Treaty of Shimonoseki Triple Intervention Invasion of Taiwan (1895) Colonization of Taiwan Boxer Rebellion Russo-Japanese War Treaty of Portsmouth Japan–Korea Treaty Colonization of Korea 1868–1912 Taishō World War I Intervention in Siberia Great Kantō earthquake 1912–1926 Shōwa Militarism Financial crisis Nanking incident Mukden Incident Invasion of Manchuria May 15 incident February 26 incident Anti-Comintern Pact Tripartite Pact Second Sino-Japanese War World War II Attack on Pearl Harbor Pacific War Atomic bombings Soviet–Japanese War Surrender of Japan Occupation of Japan Postwar Japan Anpo protests Economic miracle Asset price bubble 1926–1989 Heisei Lost Decades Great Hanshin earthquake Cool Japan Tōhoku earthquake Imperial transition 1989–2019 Reiwa COVID-19 pandemic Abe assassination Noto earthquake 2019–present Topics Capital punishment Currency Earthquakes Economy Era names Education Empire Foreign relations Geography Historiography Religion Buddhism Christianity Islam Judaism Shinto Military Naval Politics Post-war Science and technology Sports World Heritage Sites Glossary History Timeline v t e Saikō ( 斉衡 )
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#1732780021545720-534: Is different from Wikidata Articles containing Japanese-language text Heian period Although the Imperial House of Japan had power on the surface, the real power was in the hands of the Fujiwara clan , a powerful aristocratic family who had intermarried with the imperial family . Many emperors had mothers from the Fujiwara family. The economy mostly existed through barter and trade, while
780-633: Is pseudonym of Louis-Frédéric Nussbaum, see Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Authority File Archived 2012-05-24 at archive.today . ^ Nussbaum, " Ten'an " at p. 957. , p. 967, at Google Books ^ Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du japon , p. 112 –114; Brown, Delmer et al. (1979). Gukanshō , pp. 264–265; Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki , p. 165. ^ Brown, p. 285. ^ Brown, p. 285; Titsingh, p. 113. ^ Titsingh, p. 114. References [ edit ] Brown, Delmer M. and Ichirō Ishida, eds. (1979). Gukanshō: The Future and
840-596: Is the Japanese version of the Tiantai school from China, which is based on the Lotus Sutra , one of the most important sutras in Mahayana Buddhism. It was brought to Japan by the monk Saichō . An important element of Tendai doctrine was the suggestion that enlightenment was accessible to "every creature". Saichō also sought independent ordination for Tendai monks. A close relationship developed between
900-674: The Ritsuryō Code , this system attempted to recreate the Tang legal system in Japan, despite the "tremendous differences in the levels of development between the two countries". Despite the decline of the Taika – Taihō reforms, the imperial government was vigorous during the early Heian period. Kammu's avoidance of drastic reform decreased the intensity of political struggles, and he became recognized as one of Japan's most forceful emperors. Although Kammu had abandoned universal conscription in 792, he still waged major military offensives to subjugate
960-487: The Ryōmin (良民 "Good People") numbered about 5,000 in a land of perhaps five million. One reason the samurai were able to take power was that the ruling nobility proved incompetent at managing Japan and its provinces. By the year 1000, the government no longer knew how to issue currency and money was gradually disappearing. Instead of a fully realized system of money circulation, rice was the primary unit of exchange. The lack of
1020-517: The Emishi , possible descendants of the displaced Jōmon , living in northern and eastern Japan. After making temporary gains in 794, in 797, Kammu appointed a new commander, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro , under the title Seii Taishōgun ("Barbarian-subduing generalissimo"). By 801, the shōgun had defeated the Emishi and had extended the imperial domains to the eastern end of Honshū . Imperial control over
1080-548: The In-no-chō and of the rise of the military class throughout the country. Military might rather than civil authority dominated the government. A struggle for succession in the mid-twelfth century gave the Fujiwara an opportunity to regain their former power. Fujiwara no Yorinaga sided with the retired emperor in a violent battle in 1156 against the heir apparent, who was supported by the Taira and Minamoto ( Hōgen Rebellion ). In
1140-530: The Soga clan had taken control of the throne in the sixth century, the Fujiwara by the ninth century had intermarried with the imperial family , and one of their members was the first head of the Emperor's Private Office. Another Fujiwara became regent, Sesshō for his grandson, then a minor emperor and yet another was appointed Kampaku . Toward the end of the 9th century, several emperors tried but failed, to check
1200-499: The shōen system enabled the accumulation of wealth by an aristocratic elite. Even though the Heian period was one of national peace, the government failed to effectively police the territory, leading to frequent robberies of travellers. The Heian period was preceded by the Nara period and began in 794 AD after the movement of the capital of Japan to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto), by the 50th emperor, Emperor Kammu . Kammu first tried to move
1260-411: The 6-year old Emperor. He perished, but his mother survived. Takakura's other son succeeded as Emperor Go-Toba . With Yoritomo firmly established, the bakufu system that governed Japan for the next seven centuries was in place. He appointed military governors, or shugo , to rule over the provinces, and stewards, or jito to supervise public and private estates. Yoritomo then turned his attention to
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#17327800215451320-587: The Buddhist institutions there. Kyoto had good river access to the sea and could be reached by land routes from the eastern provinces. The early Heian period (784–967) continued Nara culture; the Heian capital was patterned on the Chinese Tang capital at Chang'an , as was Nara, but on a larger scale than Nara. Kammu endeavored to improve the Tang-style administrative system which was in use. Known as
1380-513: The Empress' court were recorded collectively as The Pillow Book in the 990s, which revealed the quotidian capital lifestyle. The Heian period produced a flowering of poetry including works of Ariwara no Narihira , Ono no Komachi , Izumi Shikibu , Murasaki Shikibu, Saigyō and Fujiwara no Teika . The famous Japanese poem known as the Iroha (いろは), of uncertain authorship, was also written during
1440-416: The Fujiwara after centuries of imitating Chinese forms. Vividly colored yamato-e , Japanese style paintings of court life and stories about temples and shrines became common in the mid-to-late Heian period, setting patterns for Japanese art to this day. As culture flourished, so did decentralization. Whereas the first phase of shōen development in the early Heian period had seen the opening of new lands and
1500-407: The Fujiwara presided over a period of cultural and artistic flowering at the imperial court and among the aristocracy. There was great interest in graceful poetry and vernacular literature . Two types of phonetic Japanese script: katakana , a simplified script that was developed by using parts of Chinese characters, was abbreviated to hiragana , a cursive syllabary with a distinct writing method that
1560-609: The Fujiwara, felt threatened with the loss of their lands. Go-Sanjo also established the In-no-chō [ ja ] ( 院庁 "Office of the Cloistered Emperor"), which was held by a succession of emperors who abdicated to devote themselves to behind-the-scenes governance, or insei . The In-no-chō filled the void left by the decline of Fujiwara power. Rather than being banished, the Fujiwara were mostly retained in their old positions of civil dictator and minister of
1620-425: The Fujiwara. For a time, however, during the reign of Emperor Daigo (897–930), the Fujiwara regency was suspended as he ruled directly. Nevertheless, the Fujiwara were not demoted by Daigo but actually became stronger during his reign. Central control of Japan had continued to decline, and the Fujiwara, along with other great families and religious foundations, acquired ever larger shōen and greater wealth during
1680-593: The Heian Period is considered a high point in Japanese culture that later generations have always admired. The period is also noted for the rise of the samurai class, which would eventually take power and start the feudal period of Japan. Nominally, sovereignty lay in the emperor but in fact, power was wielded by the Fujiwara nobility. However, to protect their interests in the provinces, the Fujiwara, and other noble families required guards, police and soldiers. The warrior class made steady political gains throughout
1740-433: The Heian period. During the Heian period, beauty was widely considered an important part of what made one a "good" person. In cosmetic terms, aristocratic men and women powdered their faces and blackened their teeth, the latter termed ohaguro . The male courtly ideal included a faint mustache and thin goatee , while women's mouths were painted small and red, and their eyebrows were plucked or shaved and redrawn higher on
1800-402: The Heian period. As early as 939 AD, Taira no Masakado threatened the authority of the central government, leading an uprising in the eastern province of Hitachi , and almost simultaneously, Fujiwara no Sumitomo rebelled in the west. Still, a true military takeover of the Japanese government was centuries away, when much of the strength of the government would lie within the private armies of
1860-514: The Japanese Misplaced Pages entries irome and kasane-no-irome ). While the Heian period was an unusually long period of peace, it can also be argued that the period weakened Japan economically and led to poverty for all but a tiny few of its inhabitants. The control of rice fields provided a key source of income for families such as the Fujiwara and was a fundamental base of their power. The aristocratic beneficiaries of Heian culture,
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1920-735: The Northern Court, which retained Gentoku until 1332. Not recognized by the Southern Court. Genchū discontinued upon reunification of the Northern and Southern Courts in 1392 and Meitoku retained until 1394. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saikō&oldid=1239545764 " Categories : Japanese eras 850s in Japan 854 beginnings 857 endings Hidden categories: Webarchive template archiveis links Articles with short description Short description
1980-8621: The Past . Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-03460-0 ; OCLC 251325323 Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). Japan encyclopedia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press . ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5 ; OCLC 58053128 Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Nihon Ōdai Ichiran ; ou, Annales des empereurs du Japon . Paris: Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. OCLC 5850691 Varley, H. Paul . (1980). A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa . New York: Columbia University Press . ISBN 9780231049405 ; OCLC 6042764 External links [ edit ] National Diet Library , "The Japanese Calendar" -- historical overview plus illustrative images from library's collection Preceded by Ninju Era or nengō Saikō 854–857 Succeeded by Ten'an v t e Japanese era names ( nengō ) by period 538–1264 Asuka Heian Heian (cont'd) Heian (cont'd) Heian (cont'd) Heian (cont'd) Kamakura (cont'd) 645–650 Taika 650–654 Hakuchi 686–686 Shuchō 701–704 Taihō 704–708 Keiun 708–715 Wadō Nara 715–717 Reiki 717–724 Yōrō 724–729 Jinki 729–749 Tenpyō 749 Tenpyō-kanpō 749–757 Tenpyō-shōhō 757–765 Tenpyō-hōji 765–767 Tenpyō-jingo 767–770 Jingo-keiun 770–781 Hōki 781–782 Ten'ō 782–806 Enryaku 806–810 Daidō 810–824 Kōnin 824–834 Tenchō 834–848 Jōwa 848–851 Kashō 851–854 Ninju 854–857 Saikō 857–859 Ten'an 859–877 Jōgan 877–885 Gangyō 885–889 Ninna 889–898 Kanpyō 898–901 Shōtai 901–923 Engi 923–931 Enchō 931–938 Jōhei 938–947 Tengyō 947–957 Tenryaku 957–961 Tentoku 961–964 Ōwa 964–968 Kōhō 968–970 Anna 970–973 Tenroku 973–976 Ten'en 976–978 Jōgen 978–983 Tengen 983–985 Eikan 985–987 Kanna 987–988 Eien 988–990 Eiso 990–995 Shōryaku 995–999 Chōtoku 999–1004 Chōhō 1004–1012 Kankō 1012–1017 Chōwa 1017–1021 Kannin 1021–1024 Jian 1024–1028 Manju 1028–1037 Chōgen 1037–1040 Chōryaku 1040–1044 Chōkyū 1044–1046 Kantoku 1046–1053 Eishō 1053–1058 Tengi 1058–1065 Kōhei 1065–1069 Jiryaku 1069–1074 Enkyū 1074–1077 Jōhō 1077–1081 Jōryaku 1081–1084 Eihō 1084–1087 Ōtoku 1087–1094 Kanji 1094–1096 Kahō 1096–1097 Eichō 1097–1099 Jōtoku 1099–1104 Kōwa 1104–1106 Chōji 1106–1108 Kajō 1108–1110 Tennin 1110–1113 Ten'ei 1113–1118 Eikyū 1118–1120 Gen'ei 1120–1124 Hōan 1124–1126 Tenji 1126–1131 Daiji 1131–1132 Tenshō 1132–1135 Chōshō 1135–1141 Hōen 1141–1142 Eiji 1142–1144 Kōji 1144–1145 Ten'yō 1145–1151 Kyūan 1151–1154 Ninpei 1154–1156 Kyūju 1156–1159 Hōgen 1159–1160 Heiji 1160–1161 Eiryaku 1161–1163 Ōhō 1163–1165 Chōkan 1165–1166 Eiman 1166–1169 Nin'an 1169–1171 Kaō 1171–1175 Jōan 1175–1177 Angen 1177–1181 Jishō 1181–1182 Yōwa 1182–1184 Juei 1184–1185 Genryaku Kamakura 1185–1190 Bunji 1190–1199 Kenkyū 1199–1201 Shōji 1201–1204 Kennin 1204–1206 Genkyū 1206–1207 Ken'ei 1207–1211 Jōgen 1211–1213 Kenryaku 1213–1219 Kempo 1219–1222 Jōkyū 1222–1224 Jōō 1224–1225 Gennin 1225–1227 Karoku 1227–1229 Antei 1229–1232 Kangi 1232–1233 Jōei 1233–1234 Tenpuku 1234–1235 Bunryaku 1235–1238 Katei 1238–1239 Ryakunin 1239–1240 En'ō 1240–1243 Ninji 1243–1247 Kangen 1247–1249 Hōji 1249–1256 Kenchō 1256–1257 Kōgen 1257–1259 Shōka 1259–1260 Shōgen 1260–1261 Bun'ō 1261–1264 Kōchō 1264– present Kamakura (cont'd) Nanboku-chō Nanboku-chō Muromachi (cont'd) Momoyama Edo (cont'd) Modern Japan 1264–1275 Bun'ei 1275–1278 Kenji 1278–1288 Kōan 1288–1293 Shōō 1293–1299 Einin 1299–1302 Shōan 1302–1303 Kengen 1303–1306 Kagen 1306–1308 Tokuji 1308–1311 Enkyō 1311–1312 Ōchō 1312–1317 Shōwa 1317–1319 Bunpō 1319–1321 Gen'ō 1321–1324 Genkō 1324–1326 Shōchū 1326–1329 Karyaku 1329–1331 Gentoku 1331–1334 Genkō 1332–1333 Shōkyō Northern Court 1334–1338 Kenmu 1338–1342 Ryakuō 1342–1345 Kōei 1345–1350 Jōwa 1350–1352 Kannō 1352–1356 Bunna 1356–1361 Enbun 1361–1362 Kōan 1362–1368 Jōji 1368–1375 Ōan 1375–1379 Eiwa 1379–1381 Kōryaku 1381–1384 Eitoku 1384–1387 Shitoku 1387–1389 Kakei 1389–1390 Kōō 1390–1394 Meitoku Southern Court 1334–1336 Kenmu 1336–1340 Engen 1340–1346 Kōkoku 1346–1370 Shōhei 1370–1372 Kentoku 1372–1375 Bunchū 1375–1381 Tenju 1381–1384 Kōwa 1384–1392 Genchū Muromachi 1394–1428 Ōei 1428–1429 Shōchō 1429–1441 Eikyō 1441–1444 Kakitsu 1444–1449 Bun'an 1449–1452 Hōtoku 1452–1455 Kyōtoku 1455–1457 Kōshō 1457–1460 Chōroku 1460–1466 Kanshō 1466–1467 Bunshō 1467–1469 Ōnin 1469–1487 Bunmei 1487–1489 Chōkyō 1489–1492 Entoku 1492–1501 Meiō 1501–1521 Bunki 1504–1521 Eishō 1521–1528 Daiei 1528–1532 Kyōroku 1532–1555 Tenbun 1555–1558 Kōji 1558–1570 Eiroku 1570–1573 Genki 1573–1592 Tenshō 1592–1596 Bunroku 1596–1615 Keichō Edo 1615–1624 Genna 1624–1644 Kan'ei 1644–1648 Shōhō 1648–1652 Keian 1652–1655 Jōō 1655–1658 Meireki 1658–1661 Manji 1661–1673 Kanbun 1673–1681 Enpō 1681–1684 Tenna 1684–1688 Jōkyō 1688–1704 Genroku 1704–1711 Hōei 1711–1716 Shōtoku 1716–1736 Kyōhō 1736–1741 Genbun 1741–1744 Kanpō 1744–1748 Enkyō 1748–1751 Kan'en 1751–1764 Hōreki 1764–1772 Meiwa 1772–1781 An'ei 1781–1789 Tenmei 1789–1801 Kansei 1801–1804 Kyōwa 1804–1818 Bunka 1818–1830 Bunsei 1830–1844 Tenpō 1844–1848 Kōka 1848–1854 Kaei 1854–1860 Ansei 1860–1861 Man'en 1861–1864 Bunkyū 1864–1865 Genji 1865–1868 Keiō 1868–1912 Meiji 1912–1926 Taishō 1926–1989 Shōwa 1989–2019 Heisei 2019–present Reiwa Not recognized by
2040-508: The Tendai monastery complex on Mount Hiei and the imperial court in its new capital at the foot of the mountain. As a result, Tendai emphasized great reverence for the emperor and the nation. Emperor Kammu himself was a notable patron of the otherworldly Tendai sect, which rose to great power over the ensuing centuries. Shingon is the Japanese version of the Zhenyen school from China, which
2100-471: The aristocracy, leading to the notion of "aristocratic Buddhism". Although written Chinese ( kanbun ) remained the official language of the Heian period imperial court, the introduction and widespread use of kana saw a boom in Japanese literature . Despite the establishment of several new literary genres such as the novel and narrative monogatari (物語) and essays, literacy was only common among
2160-524: The capital to Nagaoka-kyō , but a series of disasters befell the city, prompting the emperor to relocate the capital a second time, to Heian. A rebellion occurred in China toward the end of the 9th century, making the political situation unstable. The Japanese missions to Tang China were suspended and the influx of Chinese exports halted, a fact which facilitated the independent growth of Japanese culture called kokufu bunka [ ja ] . Therefore,
2220-403: The center while being bypassed in decision making. In time, many of the Fujiwara were replaced, mostly by members of the rising Minamoto clan . While the Fujiwara fell into disputes among themselves and formed northern and southern factions, the insei system allowed the paternal line of the imperial family to gain influence over the throne. The period from 1086 to 1156 was the age of supremacy of
2280-424: The court and Buddhist clergy. Poetry, in particular, was a staple of court life. Nobles and ladies-in-waiting were expected to be well versed in the art of writing poetry as a mark of their status. Every occasion could call for the writing of a verse, from the birth of a child to the coronation of an emperor, or even a pretty scene of nature. A well-written poem could easily make or break one's reputation, and often
2340-428: The court aristocracy who had become prominent provincial figures. These military families gained prestige from connections to the imperial court and court-granted military titles and access to manpower. The Fujiwara family, Taira clan, and Minamoto clan were among the most prominent families supported by the new military class. A decline in food production, the growth of the population, and competition for resources among
2400-449: The early tenth century. By the early Heian period, the shōen had obtained legal status, and the large religious establishments sought clear titles in perpetuity, waiver of taxes, and immunity from government inspection of the shōen they held. Those people who worked the land found it advantageous to transfer title to shōen holders in return for a share of the harvest. People and lands were increasingly beyond central control and taxation,
2460-517: The elimination of the powerful Fujiwara family, which sheltered his rebellious brother Yoshitsune. Three years later, he was appointed shōgun in Kyoto. One year before his death in 1199, Yoritomo expelled the teenaged emperor Go-Toba from the throne. Two of Go-Toba's sons succeeded him, but they would also be removed by Yoritomo's successors to the shogunate. The Heian period saw the rise of two esoteric Buddhist sects, Tendai and Shingon . Tendai
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2520-433: The emperor's position temporarily, soon they and other Chinese-style structures were bypassed in the developing state. In 838 the end of the imperial-sanctioned missions to Tang China, which had begun in 630, marked the effective end of Chinese influence. Tang China was in a state of decline, and Chinese Buddhists were severely persecuted, undermining Japanese respect for Chinese institutions. Japan began to turn inward. As
2580-465: The emperors and established the shogunate in Kamakura. When Emperor Kammu moved the capital to Heian-kyō ( Kyoto ), which remained the imperial capital for the next 1,000 years, he did so not only to strengthen imperial authority but also to improve his seat of government geopolitically. Nara was abandoned after only 70 years in part due to the ascendancy of Dōkyō and the encroaching secular power of
2640-442: The end, the Fujiwara were destroyed, the old system of government supplanted, and the insei system left powerless as bushi took control of court affairs, marking a turning point in Japanese history. In 1159, the Taira and Minamoto clashed ( Heiji Rebellion ), and a twenty-year period of Taira ascendancy began. Taira no Kiyomori emerged as the real power in Japan following the Fujiwara's destruction, and he would remain in command for
2700-417: The forehead ( hikimayu ). Women cultivated shiny, black flowing hair and a courtly woman's formal dress included a complex "twelve-layered robe" called jūnihitoe , though the actual number of layers varied. Costumes were determined by office and season, with a woman's robes, in particular, following a system of color combinations representing flowers, plants, and animals specific to a season or month, (see
2760-508: The granting of the use of lands to aristocrats and religious institutions, the second phase saw the growth of patrimonial "house governments", as in the old clan system. In fact, the form of the old clan system had remained largely intact within the great old centralized government. New institutions were now needed in the face of social, economic, and political changes. The Taihō Code lapsed, its institutions relegated to ceremonial functions. Family administrations now became public institutions. As
2820-407: The great families all led to the gradual decline of Fujiwara power and gave rise to military disturbances in the mid-tenth and eleventh centuries. Members of the Fujiwara, Taira, and Minamoto families—all of whom had descended from the imperial family—attacked one another, claimed control over vast tracts of conquered land, set up rival regimes, and generally upset the peace. The Fujiwara controlled
2880-466: The main characters. The shōen system enabled the accumulation of wealth by an aristocratic elite; the economic surplus can be linked to the cultural developments of the Heian period and the "pursuit of arts". The major Buddhist temples in Heian-kyō and Nara also made use of the shōen . The establishment of branches rurally and integration of some Shinto shrines within these temple networks reflects
2940-471: The most powerful family, the Fujiwara governed Japan and determined the general affairs of state, such as succession to the throne. Family and state affairs were thoroughly intermixed, a pattern followed among other families, monasteries, and even the imperial family. Land management became the primary occupation of the aristocracy, not so much because direct control by the imperial family or central government had declined but more from strong family solidarity and
3000-564: The new one commenced in Ninju 4, on the 29th day of the 11th month of 854. Events of the Saikō era [ edit ] April 21, 854 ( Saikō 1, 13th day of the 6th month ): The sadaijin Minamoto no Tokiwa, also known as Minamoto no Tsune, died at age 43. 855 ( Saikō 2, 1st month ): The Emishi organized a rebellion; and in response, a force of 1,000 men and provisions were sent to
3060-493: The next 20 years. He gave his daughter Tokuko in marriage to the young emperor Takakura , who died at only 19, leaving their infant son Antoku to succeed to the throne. Kiyomori filled no less than 50 government posts with his relatives, rebuilt the Inland Sea, and encouraged trade with Song China. He also took aggressive actions to safeguard his power when necessary, including the removal and exile of 45 court officials and
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#17327800215453120-583: The ninth century, military service became part of shōen life. Not only the shōen but also civil and religious institutions formed private guard units to protect themselves. Gradually, the provincial upper class was transformed into a new military elite of samurai . Bushi interests were diverse, cutting across old power structures to form new associations in the tenth century. Mutual interests, family connections, and kinship were consolidated in military groups that became part of family administration. In time, large regional military families formed around members of
3180-750: The north. 855 ( Saikō 2, 5th month ): The head of the great statue of Buddha in the Tōdai-ji fell off; and in consequence, the emperor ordered the then dainagon Fujiwara no Yoshisuke, the brother of sadaijin Yoshifusa, to be in charge of gathering the gifts of the pious from throughout the empire to make another head for the Daibutsu . Notes [ edit ] ^ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). " Kōnin " in Japan Encyclopedia , p. 716 , p. 716, at Google Books ; n.b., Louis-Frédéric
3240-495: The provinces was tenuous at best, however. In the ninth and tenth centuries, much authority was lost to the great families, who disregarded the Chinese-style land and tax systems imposed by the government in Kyoto. Stability came to Japan, but, even though succession was ensured for the imperial family through heredity, power again concentrated in the hands of one noble family, the Fujiwara. Following Kammu's death in 806 and
3300-537: The razing of two troublesome temples, Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji. The Taira were seduced by court life and ignored problems in the provinces, where the Minamoto clan were rebuilding their strength. In 1183, two years after Kiyomori's death, Yoritomo Minamoto dispatched his brothers Yoshitsune and Noriyori to attack Kyoto. The Taira were routed and forced to flee, and the Empress Dowager tried to drown herself and
3360-669: The shogunate. The entry of the warrior class into court influence was a result of the Hōgen Rebellion . At this time Taira no Kiyomori revived the Fujiwara practices by placing his grandson on the throne to rule Japan by regency. Their clan, the Taira , would not be overthrown until after the Genpei War , which marked the start of the Kamakura shogunate . The Kamakura period began in 1185 when Minamoto no Yoritomo seized power from
3420-447: The throne until the reign of Emperor Go-Sanjō (1068–1073), the first emperor not born of a Fujiwara mother since the ninth century. Go-Sanjo, determined to restore imperial control through strong personal rule, implemented reforms to curb Fujiwara influence. He also established an office to compile and validate estate records with the aim of reasserting central control. Many shōen were not properly certified, and large landholders, like
3480-414: Was a Japanese era name ( 年号 , nengō , "year name") after Ninju and before Ten'an . This period spanned the years from November 854 through February 857. The reigning emperor was Montoku -tennō ( 文徳天皇 ) . Change of era [ edit ] February 1, 854 Saikō gannen ( 斉衡元年 ) : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events. The previous era ended and
3540-479: Was a key part of social interaction. Almost as important was the choice of calligraphy, or handwriting, used. The Japanese of this period believed handwriting could reflect the condition of a person's soul: therefore, poor or hasty writing could be considered a sign of poor breeding. Whether the script was Chinese or Japanese, good writing and artistic skill were paramount to social reputation when it came to poetry. Sei Shōnagon mentions in her Pillow Book that when
3600-652: Was uniquely Japanese. Hiragana gave written expression to the spoken word and, with it, to the rise in Japan's famous vernacular literature, much of it written by court women who had not been trained in Chinese as had their male counterparts. Three late-tenth-century and early-11th-century women presented their views of life and romance at the Heian court in Kagerō Nikki by "the mother of Fujiwara Michitsuna ", The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon and The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu . Indigenous art also flourished under
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