THE HEIAN PERIOD

By: Astri

The Beginning and The End

• Kyoto was originally Heian-kyo• Marked the start of the Heian

jidai (Heian period)• 790’s until late 1100’s• End of the Japanese classical

history (as the military class begins)

Fujiwara Clan

• Powerful noble family• Took over the emperor and his court• Did intermarriages with the imperial

family• Hired samurai (making the military

class more significant)• Its authority ended when the new

emperor, Go-Sanjo, stepped in

New Ideas from China

• Chinese writing used for literature• Used to enhance the Japanese

writing system• Chinese influenced Buddhism

broaden• The ideas were made “more

Japanese” to meet Japanese needs

The Spread of Buddhism

• Spread through 2 main schools of Japanese Buddhism:- Tendai: invented in China, based on the Lotus Sutra (Mahayana), founded by Saicho- Shingon: Buddhist thought, founded by Kukai

• Both monks (Saicho & Kukai) wished for support from the aristocrats concerning the religion

• Emperor Kammu was already a follower of Tendai• Kukai successfully made the emperors after

Emperor Kammu awed by Shingon

Court Life and Arts

• Symbolized by grace and beauty• Emperor Kammu and his court had little political power• Used their time to improve the arts and court

ceremonies

• Court officials made poems, stories, and more• The significance of artistic and romantic behaviors• These were created during the Heian period:

- Kimi ga Yo- The Tale of Genji (Murasaki Shikibu)- Iroha (Japanese poem)

War Between Clans

• The new emperor, Go-Sanjo, took over and made the Insei government

• Taira Kiyomori became the new leader• 2 powerful military clans (Minamoto & Taira)

became powerful• The 2 clans fought for dominance after Kiyomori’s

death (the Gempei War)• The Minamoto clan ended the war and gained

victory• Minomoto Yorimoto became the new leader,

became a shogun, and started a new government in Kamakura

Resources:• http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/early-jap

anese-buddhism.html• http://edtech.suhsd.k12.ca.us/inprogress/act/dfick

ett/japan/iaido_samurai.html• http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/00327/jtimeline

.html• http://www.tokyo-top-guide.com/Ancient_Japanes

e_Culture.html• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/2594

82/Heian-period#• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2132.html• http://givoogle.com/imagesearch.php

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Arigatou gozaimasu!