Heian Period of Japan

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Heian period (平安時代 Heian jidai) Lasted from 794 to 1185.
It is the last division of classical Japanese history.

Heian (平安?) means "peace and tranquility" in Japanese.
Named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto.

It is the period when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height. It is also considered to be the peak of the Japanese imperial court and noted for its art, especially poetry and literature. Although the Imperial House of Japan had power on the surface, the real power was in the hands of the Fujiwara clan, a powerful aristocratic family who had intermarried with the Emperor of Japan.

Heian Period Costumes
(W/Images)
(Names/History)
Other Links
(Wikipedia)

Other Periods of Japan
* Paleolithic 35,000–14,000 BC
* Jōmon period 14,000–300 BC
* Yayoi period 300 BC–250 AD
* Kofun period 250–538
* Asuka period 538–710
* Nara period 710–794
* Heian period 794–1185
* Kamakura period 1185–1333
o Kenmu restoration 1333–1336
* Muromachi period (Ashikaga) 1336–1573
o Nanboku-chō period 1336–1392
o Sengoku period 1467–1573
* Azuchi–Momoyama period 1568–1603
o Nanban trade
* Edo period (Tokugawa) 1603–1868
o Bakumatsu
* Meiji period 1868–1912
o Meiji Restoration
* Taishō period 1912–1926
o Japan in World War I
* Shōwa period 1926–1989
o Shōwa financial crisis
o Japanese militarism
o Occupation of Japan
o Post-occupation Japan
* Heisei period 1989–present
o Lost Decade
* Empire of Japan (prewar) 1868–1945 (political entity)
* State of Japan (postwar) 1945–present (political entity)