HEIAN Japan 平安時代

794ADE to 1185ADE The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, (KYO=Peace) This city is now called Kyoto! Although the Imperial House of Japan (Soga uji) had power on the surface, the real power was in the hands of the Fujiwara uji, a powerful aristocratic family who had intermarried with the Emperor of Japan.

Byōdō-in Phoenix Hall, built in the 11th century during the Heian period of Japan.

Period of classic Japan (peaceful) Started with the Fujiwara uji Government thrived Golden Age- Created a true language Culture different from Korea and China New Upper Class Makoto- simplicity Miyabi- courtliness

Tale of Genji (first novel)

Lady Murasaki Shikibu She contributed much to the Japanese script known as kana, while men wrote with Chinese characters, kanji.

Heian Period: Cultural Borrowing Chinese writing. Chinese artistic styles. Buddhism [in the form of ZEN]. BUT, not the Chinese civil service system! 

Top “dude” was the tenno-Divine Emperor Tenno was selected by the sun goddess Amaterasu (until end of WW2) Population Japan- 5 million vs. China 165 million A handscroll painting dated circa 1130, illustrating a scene from the "Bamboo River" chapter of the Tale of Genji.

Outside of Kyoto, the emperor (tenno) was weak Outside of Kyoto, the emperor (tenno) was weak. The council of State controlled much of the emperor’s domain. Regional chiefs replaced by governors of the provinces (66)

The emperor reigned, but did not always rule! Feudal Society

Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Japan: Shogun Land - Shoen Loyalty Land - Shoen Daimyo Daimyo Loyalty Samurai Samurai Samurai Food Protection Peasant Peasant Peasant Peasant

Code of Bushido Fidelity Politeness Virility Simplicity

At first samurai were lacking BUSHIDO “The way of the warrior” Samurai were often illiterate and not well trained. They do not become “classy” until the 1600s. At first they are loyal to the emperor but they then become attached to the local aristocracy. They will fight as a separate class for over 1,000 years.

Zen Buddhism A Japanese variation of the Mahayana form of Buddhism, which came from India through China. It reinforced the Bushido values of mental and self-discipline.

                                       

In 1068 the Fujiwara failed to control Go-Sanjo ( a governor) In 1068 the Fujiwara failed to control Go-Sanjo ( a governor). He refused to pay taxes. In 1086, he left and formed a new government in Insei where his descendants ruled until 1156.

In the 12 century TWO clans became more powerful then the Fujiwara They were families with military and aristocracy backgrounds

Taira uji replaced many Fujiwara nobility VS. Minamoto uji brought together Northern Islands (Honshu, Shikuko) in 2 wars 1. Early 9 Years War (1050-1059) 2. Late 3 Years War (1083-1087)

Minamoto 源 Seiryoji, a temple in Kyoto, was once a villa of Minamoto no Toru

1. Emperor Saga 2. The Minamoto clan was also called the Genji Clan (源氏), using the alternate pronunciation of the Chinese characters for Minamoto (gen) and uji, or family (ji). 3. 49 children!!!

Taira clan 平氏 Heike Gohst by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

1. The Taira clan is often referred to as Heike (平家, literally House of Taira ), using the character's Chinese reading hei. Emperor Kammu (tennō) was the 50th emperor of Japan.

The 2 families fought in the Heiji War (1159) Taira Kiyomori won and controlled Japan from 1168-1178! Emperor Nijo escaping from the Imperial Palace

The Gempi War Minamoto clan VS. Taira clan

Minamoto Yoritomo VS. Taira Kiyomori

Minamoto Yoritomo becomes SHOGUN… “Highest Military Officer”

The Taira clan was destroyed, and the Minamoto victory was followed by the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate. Though Minamoto Yoritomo was not the first to ever hold the title of Shogun, he was the first to wield it in a role of nationwide scope. The end of the Gempi War and beginning of the Kamakura shogunate marked the rise of military (samurai) power and the suppression of the power of the emperor, who was forced to live without effective political or military power, until the Meiji Restoration over 650 years later. In addition, this war and its aftermath established red and white, the colors of the Taira and Minamoto, respectively, as Japan's national colors. Today, these colors can be seen on the flag of Japan.