History of Japan
Paleolithic 35000–14000 BC Jōmon period 14000–400 BC Yayoi period 400 BC – AD 250 Kofun period 250–538 Asuka period 538–710 Nara period 710–794 Heian period 794–1185 Kamakura period 1185–1333 Kemmu restoration 1333–1336 Muromachi period 1336–1573 Nanboku-chō period 1336–1392 Sengoku period Azuchi-Momoyama period 1568–1603 Nanban trade Edo period 1603–1868 Bakumatsu Meiji period 1868–1912 Meiji Restoration Taishō period 1912–1926 Japan in WWI Shōwa period 1926–1989 Japanese militarism Occupation of Japan Post-Occupation Japan Heisei period 1989–present
Economic history Educational history Military history Naval history
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The Heian period (平安時代, Heian-jidai^?) is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The written history of Japan begins with brief references in the 1st century AD Twenty-Four Histories, a collection of Chinese historical texts The covers the period from around 100000 to 30000 BC when the earliest Stone tool implements have been found to around 14000 BC at the end of the last Ice-age, which corresponds The is the time in Japanese prehistory from about 14000 BC to 400 BC. The is an era in the history of Japan from about 500 BC to 300 AD. The is an era in the History of Japan from around 250 to 538 The word kofun is Japanese for the type of burial mounds dating from this era The, was a period in the History of Japan lasting from 538 to 710 (or 592-645 although its beginning could be said to overlap with the preceding Kofun period. The of the History of Japan covers the years from AD 710 to 794. The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 by the first Kamakura Shogun The was a period of Japanese history that occurred from 1333 to 1336. The Muromachi period ( Japanese: 室町時代 Muromachi-jidai, also known as the Muromachi era, the Muromachi bakufu, the Ashikaga era The, spanning from 1336 to 1392, was a period that occurred during the early years of the Muromachi period of Japan 's history The came at the end of the Warring States Period in Japan, when the political unification that preceded the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate took place The Nanban trade ( Japanese: 南蛮貿易 nanban-bōeki, "Southern barbarian trade" or the Nanban trade period ( Japanese: 南蛮貿易時代 The, also referred to as the Tokugawa period (徳川時代 Tokugawa-jidai) is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1868 are the final years of the Edo period when the Tokugawa shogunate came to an end The, or Meiji era, denotes the 45-year reign of the Meiji Emperor, running in the Gregorian calendar, from 23 October 1868 to 30 July The, also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, or Renewal, was a chain of events that led to enormous changes in Japan 's political and social structure The, or Taishō era, is a period in the History of Japan dating from July 30, 1912 to December 25, 1926, coinciding with the reign Japan participated in from 1914 to 1917 as one of the major Entente Powers, played an important role in securing the sea lanes in South Pacific The, or Shōwa era, is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of Emperor Shōwa ( Hirohito) from December 25, 1926 to refers to the Ideology in the Empire of Japan that Militarism should dominate the political and social life of the nation and that the strength of the military is At the end of World War II, Japan was occupied by the Allied Powers, led by the United States with contributions also from Australia, British Following the end of the Allied occupation in 1952 Japan emerged as a global Economic power is the current era name in Japan. The Heisei era started on January 8, 1989, just one day after the death of the reigning Emperor Hirohito The economic history of Japan is one of the most studied for its spectacular growth after the Meiji Revolution to be the first non European Power and after the Second World War The history of Education in Japan dates back at least to the sixth century when Chinese learning was introduced at the Yamato court The military history of Japan is characterised by a long period of Feudal Wars, followed by domestic stability and then foreign conquest The naval history of Japan can be said to begin in early interactions with states on the Asian continent in the early centuries of the 1st millennium, reaching a pre-modern peak This is the glossary of Japanese history including the major terms titles and events the casual (or brand-new reader might find useful in understanding articles on the subject The written history of Japan begins with brief references in the 1st century AD Twenty-Four Histories, a collection of Chinese historical texts Events By Place Asia Kyoto becomes the Japanese capital ending the Nara period, and beginning the Heian period. ^[1] It is the period in Japanese history when Confucianism and other Chinese influences were at their height. Confucianism ( is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system originally developed from the teachings of the fifth century B The Culture of China (traditional Chinese 中國文化 simplified Chinese 中国文化 is home to one of the world's oldest and most complex Civilizations covering a history The Heian period is also considered the peak of the Japanese imperial court and noted for its art, especially poetry and literature. The of Japan is the country's Monarch. He is the head of the Japanese Imperial Family. Japanese art covers a wide range of art styles and media including ancient pottery sculpture in wood and bronze ink painting on silk and paper and a myriad of other types of works of When Japanese poets first encountered Chinese poetry, it was at its peak in the Tang Dynasty. Japanese literature spans a period of almost two millennia Early works were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, often written Heian (平安, Heian^?) means "safety, tranquility, and peace" in Japanese.

History

The Heian period was preceded by the Nara period and began in 794 after the movement of the capital of Japan to Heian kyō (平安京, present day Kyoto), by the 50th emperor, Emperor Kammu. The of the History of Japan covers the years from AD 710 to 794. Heian-kyō (平安京 literally "tranquility and peace capital" was one of several former names for the city now known as Kyoto. (IPA /kʲoːto / is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. (737&ndash806 was the 50th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession It 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. is the term for the military nobility of Pre-industrial Japan.

Nominally, sovereignty lay in the emperor but in fact power was wielded by the Fujiwara nobility. The Fujiwara clan (藤原氏 Fujiwara-shi) descending from the Nakatomi clan, was a powerful family of Regents in Japan that monopolized the regent positions 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. This article is about the year 939. For the CPU socket see Socket 939 Events By Place Asia Taira no Masakado (平将門 (?&ndash March 25, 940) was a member of the Kammu Taira clan of Japan. Hitachi (常陸国 -no kuni was an old province of Japan which bordered on Iwashiro, Iwaki, Shimousa, and Shimotsuke provinces Still, military takeover was centuries away, when much of the strength of the government would lie within the private armies of the shogunate.

The entry of the warrior class into court influence was a result of the Hōgen Rebellion. The Hōgen Rebellion (保元の乱 was a Japanese Civil war fought in 1156 over Japanese imperial succession and control of the Fujiwara At this time Taira no Kiyomori revived the Fujiwara practices by placing his grandson on the throne to rule Japan by regency. was a general of the late Heian period of Japan. He established the first Samurai -dominated administrative government in the history of Japan. Their clan (Taira clan) would not be overthrown until after the Gempei War, which marked the start of the shogunate. For other uses of the word Taira see Taira (disambiguation The was a major Japanese clan in historical Japan The ( 1180 &ndash 1185) were a Conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans and in late- Heian period Japan. is a military rank and historical title in Japan. The Japanese word for "general" it is made up of two Kanji words sho, meaning "commander" The Kamakura period began in 1185 when Minamoto no Yoritomo seized power from the emperors and established a bakufu, the Kamakura shogunate, in Kamakura. The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 by the first Kamakura Shogun was the founder and the first Shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan. is a military rank and historical title in Japan. The Japanese word for "general" it is made up of two Kanji words sho, meaning "commander" The Kamakura shogunate ( Japanese: 鎌倉幕府 Kamakura bakufu) was a feudal military dictatorship in Japan headed by the Shoguns from is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan, about 50 km south-south-west of Tokyo.

The Fujiwara Regency

Byodoin Phoenix Hall, built in the 11th century during the Heian period of Japan. For the Arena in Debrecen Hungary see Fonix Hall. For the replica temple in Hawaii see Byodo-In Temple.

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. (IPA /kʲoːto / is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. 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 (Kyoto) was patterned on the Chinese Tang capital at Chang'an, as was Nara, but on a larger scale. Events By Place Asia The Japanese capital moves away from Nara, ending the Nara period. 967 was a year in the 10th century. Events By Place Europe The Bishopric of Merseburg is formed in Saxony China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. Despite the decline of the Taika-Taihō reforms, imperial government was vigorous during the early Heian period. Indeed, 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 the Emishi, possible descendants of the displaced Jōmon, living in northern and eastern Japan. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Irene is confirmed empress of the Byzantine Empire. For the statesman at the Yamato imperial court see Soga no Emishi. The is the time in Japanese prehistory from about 14000 BC to 400 BC. After making temporary gains in 794, in 797 Kammu appointed a new commander under the title Seii Taishogun. Events By Place Asia Kyoto becomes the Japanese capital ending the Nara period, and beginning the Heian period. Events By Place Byzantine Empire July 17 — Irene orders her son Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI, captured and By 801 the shogun had defeated the Emishi and had extended the imperial domains to the eastern end of Honshū. Events By Place Europe December 28 — Louis the Pious occupies Barcelona. or Honshu is the largest Island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Imperial control over 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. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Stability came to Heian 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.

An handscroll painting dated circa 1130, illustrating a scene from the "Bamboo River" chapter of the Tale of Genji. is a classic work of Japanese literature attributed to the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early eleventh century around the peak of the Heian Period

Following Kammu's death in 806 and a succession struggle among his sons, two new offices were established in an effort to adjust the Taika-Taihō administrative structure. Events By Place Asia Emperor Heizei succeeds Emperor Kammu as Emperor of Japan. 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 the emperor's position temporarily, soon they and other Chinese-style structures were bypassed in the developing state. Chinese influence effectively ended with the last imperial-sanctioned mission to Tang China in 838. The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Events By Place Europe At Hingston Down, Egbert of Wessex beats the Danish and the West Welsh 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 the Soga 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. The was one of the most powerful clans in Yamato Japan and played a major role in the spread of Buddhism in that country The 6th century is the period from 501 to 600 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. The Fujiwara clan (藤原氏 Fujiwara-shi) descending from the Nakatomi clan, was a powerful family of Regents in Japan that monopolized the regent positions The 9th century is the period from 801 to 900 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. The Imperial House of Japan (also referred to as the Imperial Family or kōshitsu, 皇室 comprises those members of the extended family of the reigning Emperor of Another Fujiwara became regent, Sessho for his grandson, then a minor emperor, and yet another was appointed Kanpaku. In Japan, Sesshō (摂政 was a title given to a Regent who was named to assist either a child emperor before his Coming of age, or an In Japan, Sesshō (摂政 was a title given to a Regent who was named to assist either a child emperor before his Coming of age, or an Toward the end of the ninth century, several emperors tried, but failed, to check the Fujiwara. The 9th century is the period from 801 to 900 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. For a time, however, during the reign of Emperor Daigo (897-930), the Fujiwara regency was suspended as he ruled directly. Emperor Daigo (醍醐天皇 Daigo-tennō) ( January 18, 885 &ndash October 23, 930) was the 60th emperor of Events By place Asia Emperor Uda of Japan is succeeded by Emperor Daigo. Events By Place Europe With the establishment of the Althing, now the world's oldest Parliament, the Icelandic Commonwealth

Nevertheless, the Fujiwara were not demoted by Daigo but actually became stronger during his reign. The Fujiwara clan (藤原氏 Fujiwara-shi) descending from the Nakatomi clan, was a powerful family of Regents in Japan that monopolized the regent positions 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 the early tenth century. A was a field or manor in Japan. The Japanese term comes from the Tang dynasty Chinese term Zhuangyuan. 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, a de facto return to conditions before the Taika Reform.

Drawing of Fujiwara Michinaga, by Kikuchi Yōsai. Fujiwara no Michinaga (藤原 道長 966 - 3 January 1028; Japanese calendar 万寿4年12月4日 represents the highpoint of the Fujiwara regents Kikuchi Yōsai (菊池容斎 1781-1878 also known as Kikuchi Takeyasu and Kawahara Ryōhei was a Japanese painter most famous for his monochrome

Within decades of Daigo's death, the Fujiwara had absolute control over the court. The Fujiwara clan (藤原氏 Fujiwara-shi) descending from the Nakatomi clan, was a powerful family of Regents in Japan that monopolized the regent positions By the year 1000, Fujiwara no Michinaga was able to enthrone and dethrone emperors at will. Fujiwara no Michinaga (藤原 道長 966 - 3 January 1028; Japanese calendar 万寿4年12月4日 represents the highpoint of the Fujiwara regents Little authority was left for traditional officialdom, and government affairs were handled through the Fujiwara family's private administration. The Fujiwara had become what historian George B. Sansom has called "hereditary dictators. "

Despite their usurpation of imperial authority, the Fujiwara presided over a period of cultural and artistic flowering at the imperial court and among the aristocracy. The Fujiwara clan (藤原氏 Fujiwara-shi) descending from the Nakatomi clan, was a powerful family of Regents in Japan that monopolized the regent positions There was great interest in graceful poetry and vernacular literature. Vernacular literature is Literature written in the Vernacular - the speech of the "common people" Japanese writing had long depended on kanji, but these were now supplemented by kana, two types of phonetic Japanese script: katakana, a mnemonic device using parts of Chinese ideograms; and hiragana, a cursive syllabary with a distinct writing method that was uniquely Japanese. are the Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese logographic writing system along with Hiragana (ひらがな 平仮名 Katakana Kana is a general term for the syllabic Japanese scripts Hiragana (ひらがな and Katakana (カタカナ as well as the old system is a Japanese Syllabary, one component of the Japanese writing system along with Hiragana, Kanji, and in some cases the Latin alphabet is a Japanese Syllabary, one component of the Japanese writing system, along with Katakana and Kanji; the Latin alphabet 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 eleventh century women presented their views of life and romance at the Heian court in "The Gossamer Years" (蜻蛉日記 Kagero nikki) by "the mother of Fujiwara Michitsuna", "The Pillow Book" by Sei Shonagon and "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu. Indigenous art also flourished under 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- and late Heian periods, setting patterns for Japanese art to this day. Yamato-e (大和絵 is a style of Japanese painting inspired by Tang dynasty paintings and developed in the late Heian period.

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 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. The was an administrative reorganization enacted in 701 in Japan, at the end of the Asuka period. Family administrations now became public institutions. As 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 a lack of a sense of Japan as a single nation.

Rise of the military class

Under the early courts, when military conscription had been centrally controlled, military affairs had been taken out of the hands of the provincial aristocracy. Conscription (also known as the draft, the call-up or national service) is a general term for involuntary labor demanded by some established authority But as the system broke down after 792, local power holders again became the primary source of military strength. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Irene is confirmed empress of the Byzantine Empire. 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 the ninth century, military service became part of shoen life. Not only the shoen 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 based on the ideals of the bushi (warrior) or samurai (literally, one who serves). is the term for the military nobility of Pre-industrial Japan.

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 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.

Minamoto no Yoritomo, leader of the Minamoto clan and in 1192 became the first shogun of the Kamakura period. was the founder and the first Shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan. is a military rank and historical title in Japan. The Japanese word for "general" it is made up of two Kanji words sho, meaning "commander" The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 by the first Kamakura Shogun

Decline in food production, growth of the population, and competition for resources among 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 broke the peace of the Land of the Rising Sun. The Fujiwara clan (藤原氏 Fujiwara-shi) descending from the Nakatomi clan, was a powerful family of Regents in Japan that monopolized the regent positions For other uses of the word Taira see Taira (disambiguation The was a major Japanese clan in historical Japan was one of the honorary surnames bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period ( 794 – 1185 AD on those of their sons and grandsons who were not

The Fujiwara controlled the throne until the reign of Emperor Go-Sanjō (1068-1073), the first emperor not born of a Fujiwara mother since the ninth century. ( September 3, 1034 &ndash June 15, 1073) was the 71st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession 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. For other uses see Estate. An estate comprises the houses and outbuildings and supporting farmland and woods that surround the gardens and grounds Many shōen were not properly certified, and large landholders, like the Fujiwara, felt threatened with the loss of their lands. Go-Sanjo also established the Incho, or 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 Insei system (院政 or cloistered rule, was a specific form of government in Japan, in which the Emperor abdicated but kept exerting power and influence

The Incho 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 the center while being bypassed in decision making. In time, many of the Fujiwara were replaced, mostly by members of the rising Minamoto family. was one of the honorary surnames bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period ( 794 – 1185 AD on those of their sons and grandsons who were not 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 the Incho and of the rise of the military class throughout the country. Military might rather than civil authority dominated the government.

Painting of the Battle of Dan-no-ura on April 25, 1185, Genpei War. The was a major sea battle of the Genpei War, occurring at Dan-no-ura, in the Shimonoseki Strait off the southern tip of Honshū. The ( 1180 &ndash 1185) were a Conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans and in late- Heian period Japan.

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 (Hogen Rebellion). Fujiwara no Yorinaga (藤原頼長 1120 - August 1, 1156) of the Fujiwara clan held the position of Imperial Palace Minister of the Left The Hōgen Rebellion (保元の乱 was a Japanese Civil war fought in 1156 over Japanese imperial succession and control of the Fujiwara In 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. The was fought between rival subjects of the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan in 1159. The Taira were seduced by court life and ignored problems in the provinces. Finally, Minamoto no Yoritomo rose from his headquarters in the Kantō region to defeat the Taira, and with them the child emperor, Emperor Antoku they controlled, in the Genpei War. was the founder and the first Shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan. The is a Geographical area of Honshū, the largest Island of Japan. Emperor Antoku (安徳天皇 Antoku-tennō) ( December 22, 1178 &ndash April 24, 1185) was the 81st emperor The ( 1180 &ndash 1185) were a Conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans and in late- Heian period Japan.

Heian culture

Developments in Buddhism

Bodhisattva Fugen Enmei, 12th century painting on silk, late Heian period. Samantabhadra ( Wylie: Kun-tu bzang-po, Mongolian Qamugha Sain, Chinese 普[[wiktionary 賢|賢]] 菩[[wiktionary 薩|薩]] Pinyin

Buddhism began to spread throughout Japan during the Heian period, primarily through two major esoteric sects, Tendai (天台, Heavenly Terrace) and Shingon. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices History The Tiantai teaching was first brought to Japan by the Chinese monk Jianzhen (鑑眞 Jp Ganjin in the middle of the 8th century, but Shingon Buddhism (眞言 真言 " true words " is a major school of Japanese Buddhism, and is the other branch of Vajrayana Buddhism Tendai originated in China and is based on the Lotus Sutra, one of the most important sutras of Mahayana Buddhism. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National The Lotus Sutra or Sutra on the White Lotus of the Sublime Dharma (Sanskrit sa सद्धर्मपुण्डरीकसूत्र Saddharma Mahayana ( Sanskrit: mahāyāna, Devanagari: महायान 'Great Vehicle' is one of the two main existing schools of Buddhism and a term for Shingon is an indigenous sect with close affiliations to original Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese Buddhist thought founded by Kūkai. This article is about the history of South Asia prior to the Partition of British India in 1947 Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including Kūkai (ja 空海 or also known posthumously as Kōbō-Daishi (ja 弘法大師 774&ndash835 CE was a Japanese monk, Scholar 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. (737&ndash806 was the 50th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession Kammu himself was a notable patron of the otherworldly Tendai sect, which rose to great power over the ensuing centuries. History The Tiantai teaching was first brought to Japan by the Chinese monk Jianzhen (鑑眞 Jp Ganjin in the middle of the 8th century, but A close relationship developed between the Tendai monastery complex on Mount Hiei and the imperial court in its new capital at the foot of the mountain. is a mountain to the northeast of Kyoto city lying on the border between the Kyoto and Shiga prefectures Japan. As a result, Tendai emphasized great reverence for the emperor and the nation.

Heian period literature

Although written Chinese (Kanbun) remained the official language of the Heian period imperial court, the introduction and wide use of kana saw a boom in Japanese literature. The Japanese word originally meant " Classical Chinese writings Chinese classic texts, Classical Chinese literature " Kana is a general term for the syllabic Japanese scripts Hiragana (ひらがな and Katakana (カタカナ as well as the old system Japanese literature spans a period of almost two millennia Early works were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, often written Despite the establishment of several new literary genre such as the novel and narrative monogatari (物語) and essays, literacy was only common among the court and Buddhist clergy. A novel (from Italian novella, Spanish novela, French nouvelle for "new" "news" or "short story traditional definition of literacy is considered to be the ability to read and write or the ability to use Language to read, write, listen, Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices

The lyrics of the modern Japanese national anthem, Kimi Ga Yo, were written in the Heian period, as was The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu, widely considered the first novel ever written. often translated as "May your reign last forever" is Japan's National anthem, and is also one of the world's shortest national anthems in current use is a classic work of Japanese literature attributed to the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early eleventh century around the peak of the Heian Period Murasaki Shikibu ( 紫[[wikt 式|式]] 部; c 973&ndashc 1014 or 1025 or Lady Murasaki as she is sometimes known in English was a Japanese A novel (from Italian novella, Spanish novela, French nouvelle for "new" "news" or "short story Murasaki Shikibu's contemporary and rival Sei Shonagon's revealing observations and musings as an attendant in the Empress' court were recorded collectively as The Pillow Book in the 990s. Murasaki Shikibu ( 紫[[wikt 式|式]] 部; c 973&ndashc 1014 or 1025 or Lady Murasaki as she is sometimes known in English was a Japanese Sei Shōnagon (清少納言 ( c966 -1017 was a Japanese author and a Court lady who served the Empress Teishi /Empress Sadako around the year is a book of observations and musings recorded by Sei Shōnagon during her time as court lady to Empress Sadako during the 990s and early 1000s in Heian Events and Trends Sei Shōnagon writes The Pillow Book. Simple990s Zh-yue990年代 The famous Japanese poem known as the Iroha (いろは) was also written during the Heian period. This article refers to the Japanese poem For the video game character see Iroha (Samurai Shodown.

Economics

While on one hand the Heian period was indeed 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 aristocratic beneficiaries of Heian culture, the Yokibito meaning the Good People, numbered about five thousand in a land of perhaps five million. The Yokibito were the Japanese Aristocracy of the Heian Period. One reason the samurai were able to take power was that the ruling nobility proved incompetent at managing Japan and its provinces. is the term for the military nobility of Pre-industrial Japan. By the year 1000 the government no longer knew how to issue currency and money was gradually disappearing. The lack of a solid medium of economic exchange is implicitly illustrated in novels of the time. For instance, messengers were rewarded with useful objects, e. g. an old silk kimono, rather than paid a fee. The is the National costume of Japan. Originally the word "kimono" literally meant thing to wear ( ki wearing and mono thing but now has come The Fujiwara rulers also failed to maintain adequate police forces, which left robbers free to prey on travelers. This is again implicitly illustrated in novels by the terror that night travel inspired in the main characters.

Events

• 784: Emperor Kammu moves the capital to Nagaoka-kyo (Kyoto)
• 794: Emperor Kammu moves the capital to Heian-kyo (Kyoto)
• 804: The Buddhist monk Saichō (Dengyo Daishi) introduces the Tendai school
• 806: The monk Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) introduces the Shingon (Tantric) school
• 819: Kūkai founds the monastery of Mount Koya, in the northeast portion of modern day Wakayama Prefecture
• 858: Emperor Seiwa begins the rule of the Fujiwara clan
• 990: Sei Shonagon writes the Pillow Book
• 1050: Rise of the military class (samurai)
• 1053: The Byodo-in temple (near Kyoto) is inaugurated by emperor Fujiwara Yorimichi
• 1068: Emperor Go-Sanjo overthrows the Fujiwara clan
• 1087: Emperor Shirakawa abdicates and becomes a Buddhist monk, the first of the "cloistered emperors" (insei)
• 1156: Taira Kiyomori defeats the Minamoto clan and seizes power, thereby ending the "insei" era
• 1185: Taira is defeated (Gempei War) and Minamoto Yoritomo of the Hōjō clan seizes power, becoming the first shogun of Japan, while the emperor (or "mikado") becomes a figurehead
• 1191: Rinzai Zen Buddhism is introduced in Japan by the monk Eisai of Kamakura and becomes popular among the samurai, the leading class in Japanese society

Notes

References

External links

• Heian art at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Heian art and calligraphy at the Tokyo National Museum
• Heian art at the British Museum
• Heian period at mnsu.edu