1. Heian Period
Japan’s Golden Age

2. Feudal System
Definition: A system in which loyalty is exchanged for land
Japan had a tiered system with the Shogun at the top and the merchants at the bottom
The emperor had power in name only
The merchants were at the bottom because it was believed they did not make an honest living through hard work.

3. Social Structure
Emperor
Shogun
Daimyo
Samurai
Peasants
Merchants

4. Heian Period
Emperor moved his capital away from Nara in 784 because he felt he was too close to the Buddhist priests and wanted to build a bigger city.
New capital was called Heian-kyo – today this is called Kyoto
Wealthy families lived in mansions with beautiful gardens
Inside rooms were divided by sliding screens
Daily life was very formal with correct manners being extremely important

6. Social Positions By the 800’s the emperor began losing power
The aristocrats were the political and cultural leaders
Being born into high ranking families was more important that personal skill
Each social rank came with certain requirements
If you were guilty of a crime, how high your rank was determined how harsh the sentence would be

7. Buddhism
Amida – All people could reach paradise through the mercy of Amida Buddha
Saying Amida’s name 70,000 times was one way to reach the paradise
Also called Pure Land Buddhism
Zen
Appealed to samurai because it centered around discipline
Enlightenment through meditation and logical thinking
Created gardens to aid in meditation
Simple and symbolized nature

8. Beauty & Fashion Beauty, elegance and fashion very important
Ability to recognize beauty in nature, poetry and art
Ability to see beauty was a more important trait than honesty and generosity

11. Fashion - Men Small pointed beards
Blackened teeth – white teeth were considered unattractive
Used dye from iron and tea
Individualized perfume – perfume competitions were popular

12. Fashion - Women Long hair – longer than she was tall White face powder
Red cheeks
Small red mouth
Eyebrows painted on her forehead
Layered silk robes

13. Entertainment
Men enjoyed horse races, archery contests, and sumo wrestling
Women played a game called go
Many festivals
and celebrations
Dancing was an
important skill

14. Art
Brush painting called Yamato-e Developed a style that would be different from China
Painters first drew lines then filled them in with bright colors
Used to decorate walls, screens, and sliding doors
Calligraphy skills were as important as the poetry itself
Women in the courts were selected for their intelligence
Many took interest in writing and the arts

15. Scenes from literature

16. Tale of Genji Written by Murasaki Shikibu
Often called world’s first novel
Divided into 54 episodes that were written one at a time then distributed
Reveals information about life for the noble class during the Heian period
Women in the courts were selected for their intelligence
Many took interest in writing and the arts

17. Story
Tells the story of the life of a son of the emperor, Genji. His social status goes up and down throughout the story as it follows his love life with different ladies of the court.
The book focuses on the thoughts and feelings of the characters (especially the women)
One of the first models for the modern romance novel
Illustrated with Yamato-e style with about 2 pictures per chapter

18. Lets Review! Prince Shotoku encourages foreign influences
Cultural Diffusion
Influences from China and Korea
Literature, government, art, religion
Examples?
Social Structure – Feudalism
Samurai and farmers work for a Daimyo lord
Shogun at the top (most powerful Daimyo)
Heian Period – Golden Age of Japan

19. Formal life with strict rules for each social class
Emphasis on the appreciation of beauty and nature
Literature and Art
Samurai
– types of armor/weapon
code of honor & ritual suicide
Role of women