Heian Period

The Heian period (Japanese: 平安時代, Heian-jidai) is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The Heian period is considered the peak of the Japanese imperial court and noted for its art, especially poetry and literature. The name Heian is a word that means "peace" in Japanese.

History

The Heian period is preceded by the Nara period and began in 794 after the movement of the capital of Japanese civilisation to Heian-kyō (present-day Kyoto) by the 50th emperor, Emperor Kammu. It is considered a high point in Japanese culture that later generations have always admired. Also, the time period is also noted for the rise of the samurai class, which would eventually take power and start the feudal period of Japan. The capital was also named after this period of peace and prosperity.

Related Topics:
Nara period - Kyoto - Emperor Kammu

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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 gains throughout the Heian period. As early as 939, 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, military takeover was centuries away. Soon much of the strength of the government lay within the private armies of the shogunate.

Related Topics:
Fujiwara - Taira no Masakado - Hitachi

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The entry of the warrior class into court influence was a result of the Hogen disturbance. At this time Taira no Kiyomori revived the Fujiwara practices by placing his grandson on the throne to rule Japan by regency. Their clan would not be overthrown until after the Genpei War, which marked the start of the shogunates. The Kamakura period began in 1185 when Minamoto no Yoritomo seized power from the emperors and established a bakufu, the Kamakura Shogunate, in Kamakura.

Related Topics:
Hogen disturbance - Taira no Kiyomori - Genpei War - Kamakura period - Minamoto no Yoritomo - Bakufu - Kamakura Shogunate - Kamakura

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