NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Heian period

The Heian Period (平安時代 Heian-jidai^?) is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. It is the period in Japanese history when Confucianism and other Chinese influences were at their height. The Heian Period is also considered the peak of the Japanese imperial court and noted for its art, especially poetry and literature. Heian (平安^?) means "peace" or "tranquility" in Japanese. The written history of Japan began with brief appearances in Chinese history texts from the first century AD. However, archaeological research indicates that people were living on the islands of Japan as early as the upper paleolithic period. ... Events Kyoto becomes the Japanese capital. ... Events April 25 - Genpei War - Naval battle of Dan-no-ura leads to Minamoto victory in Japan Templars settle in London and begin the building of New Temple Church End of the Heian Period and beginning of the Kamakura period in Japan. ... Confucian temple in Jiading district, Shanghai. ... Chinese culture has roots going back over five thousand years. ... His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Akihito of Japan The Emperor of Japan (天皇, tennō) is Japans titular head of state and the head of the Japanese imperial family. ... Bronze statue of Amida Buddha at Kotokuin in Kamakura (1252 CE) 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 art. ... Grave of the Japanese poet Yosa Buson The best-known forms of Japanese poetry (outside Japan) are haiku and senryu. ... Japanese literature spans a period of almost two millennia. ...

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. 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. The Nara period ) of the history of Japan covers the years from about AD 710 to 784. ... Kyoto ) is a city in the central part of the island of HonshÅ«, Japan. ... Emperor Kanmu Emperor Kanmu ) (737â€“806) was the 50th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Japanese samurai in armour, 1860s. ...

Nominally, sovereignty lay in the emperor but in fact power was wielded by the Fujiwara nobility. 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. Still, military takeover was centuries away, when much of the strength of the government would lie within the private armies of the shogunate. The Fujiwara family (è—¤åŽŸæ° Fujiwara-uji) was a powerful family of regents in Japan who had a sort of monopoly to the Sekkan positions, SesshÅ and Kampaku. ... Events Vietnam became a tributary kingdom to China. ... Taira no Masakados tomb(Burial only his head). ... Categories: Japan geography stubs | Old provinces of Japan ...

The entry of the warrior class into court influence was a result of the Hōgen Rebellion. At this time Taira no Kiyomori revived the Fujiwara practices by placing his grandson on the throne to rule Japan by regency. Their clan (Taira clan) would not be overthrown until after the Gempei War, which marked the start of the shogunate. The Kamakura period began in 1185 when Minamoto no Yoritomo seized power from the emperors and established a bakufu, the Kamakura shogunate, in Kamakura. Combatants Forces loyal to Emperor Go-Shirakawa Forces loyal to retired Emperor Sutoku Commanders Fujiwara no Tadamichi, Minamoto no Tameyoshi, Taira no Tadamasa Fujiwara no Yorinaga, Taira no Kiyomori, Minamoto no Yoshitomo Strength Unknown Unknown, incl. ... Statue of Taira no Kiyomori, Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture Taira no Kiyomori (å¹³ æ¸…ç›› 1118 - 1181) was a general of the late Heian period of Japan. ... Taira (å¹³) is a Japanese surname. ... The Genpei or Gempei War (源平戦争)(1180-1185) was a war of ancient Japan, fought between the Taira and Minamoto clans. ... This page is about the Japanese ruler and military rank. ... The following text needs to be harmonized with text in the article History of Japan#Kamakura Period. ... Portrait of Yoritomo (copy) Minamoto no Yoritomo May 9, 1147â€”February 9, 1199) was the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan, who ruled from 1192 until 1199. ... For the James Clavell novel, see Shogun or for the TV Miniseries. ... This wooden Kongorikishi statue was created during the Kamakura shogunate during 14th century Japan. ... Crowds of visitors in Kamakura (Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine) Kamakura (Japanese: éŽŒå€‰å¸‚; -shi) is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan, about 50 km south-south-west of Tokyo (to which it is linked by the railway line to Yokosuka). ...

Developments in Buddhism

Buddhism began to spread throughout Japan during the Heian Period, primarily through two major esoteric sects, Tendai (天台, Heavenly Terrace) and Shingon. Tendai originated in China and is based on the Lotus Sutra, one of the most important sutras of Mahayana Buddhism. Shingon is an indigenous sect with close affiliations to original Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese Buddhist thought founded by Kūkai. 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. Kammu himself was a notable patron of the otherworldly Tendai sect, which rose to great power over the ensuing centuries. 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. As a result, Tendai emphasized great reverence for the emperor and the nation. Buddhism is a dharmic, non-theistic religion, which is also a philosophy and a system of psychology. ... Tendai (Japanese: å¤©å°å®—, Tendai-shÅ«) is a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism, a descendant of the Chinese Tiantai or Lotus Sutra school. ... Shingon (çœžè¨€,çœŸè¨€), also called Japanese Esoteric Buddhism, is a major school of Japanese Buddhism, and one of two major sub-schools of Vajrayana Buddhism, the other being Tibetan Buddhism. ... The Lotus Sutra or Sutra on the White Lotus of the Sublime Dharma (Sanskrit: SaddharmapundarÄ«ka-sÅ«tra; å¦™æ³•è“®è¯ç¶“ Chinese: MiÃ ofÇŽ LiÃ¡nhuÄ JÄ«ng; Japanese: MyÅhÅ Renge KyÅ; Korean: Myobeomnyeonhwagyeong) is one of the most popular and influential MahÄyÄna sutras in East Asia and the basis... SÅ«tra (sex) (Sanskrit) or Sutta (PÄli) literally means a rope or thread that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. ... Relief image of the bodhisattva Kuan Yin from Mt. ... Tibetan Buddhism (Simplified Chinese: è—ä¼ ä½›æ•™) is the body of religious Buddhist doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet, the Himalayan region (including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim and Ladakh), Mongolia, Buryatia, Tuva and Kalmykia (Russia), and northeastern China (Manchuria: Heilongjiang, Jilin). ... Painting of Kukai (774-835). ... Kammu can refer to: Emperor_Kammu_of_Japan The Kammu language This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Tendai (Japanese: å¤©å°å®—, Tendai-shÅ«) is a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism, a descendant of the Chinese Tiantai or Lotus Sutra school. ... Mount Hiei (Jp. ...

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. Despite the establishment of several new literary genre such as the novel and narrative monogatari and essays, literacy was only common among the court and Buddhist clergy. Example of Kaeriten Kanbun (æ¼¢æ–‡, literally Han writing) is Chinese written for a Japanese audience. ... Japanese writing Kanji æ¼¢å— Kana ä»®å Hiragana å¹³ä»®å Katakana ç‰‡ä»®å Manyogana ä¸‡è‘‰ä»®å Uses Furigana æŒ¯ã‚Šä»®å Okurigana é€ã‚Šä»®å RÅmaji ãƒãƒ¼ãƒžå— For other meanings of Kana, see Kana (disambiguation). ... Japanese literature spans a period of almost two millennia. ... A novel (from French nouvelle Italian novella, new) is an extended, generally fictional narrative, typically in prose. ... World literacy rates by country The traditional definition of literacy is considered to be the ability to read and write, or the ability to use languageâ€“to read, write, listen, and speak. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, SiddhÄrtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by...

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, one of the first novels in Japanese. 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. The famous Japanese poem known as the iroha was also written during the Jedi Period. Score of Kimi ga Yo Kimi ga Yo ) (often translated as Imperial Reign) is Japans National Anthem, and is also one of the worlds shortest national anthems in current use. ... Ilustration of ch. ... Murasaki Shikibu (紫 式部 Murasaki Shikibu, c. ... A novel (from French nouvelle Italian novella, new) is an extended, generally fictional narrative, typically in prose. ... Murasaki Shikibu (紫 式部 Murasaki Shikibu, c. ... Sei Shonagon Sei ShÅnagon (æ¸…å°‘ç´è¨€), (965-1010s?) was a Japanese author and a court lady who served the Empress Consort Teishi around the year 1000, known as the author of The Pillow Book (æž•è‰å makura no sÅshi). ... The Pillow Book ) is a book of observations and musings recorded by Sei ShÅnagon during her time as court lady to Empress Sadako during the 990s in Heian Japan. ... Centuries: 9th century - 10th century - 11th century Decades: 940s - 950s _ 960s - 970s - 980s - 990s - 1000s - 1010s _ 1020s - 1030s - 1040s 990 991 992 993 994 995 996 997 998 999 1000 Events: Sei Shonagon writes The Pillow Book, a compilation of her daily observations, thoughts and feelings as an... The iroha (Jp. ...

Heian Period 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. One reason the samurai were able to take power was that the ruling nobility proved incompetent at managing Japan and its provinces. 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 Jedi, rather than paid a fee. The Fujiwara Sith 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. The Yokibito are the Japanese aristocracy of the Heian Period. ... Japanese samurai in armour, 1860s. ... Europe in 1000 The year 1000 of the Gregorian Calendar was the last year of the 10th century as well as the last year of the first millennium. ... Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (right) with his padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi (left) from The Phantom Menace. ... This article is about the Force-using organization in the fictional Star Wars universe. ...

The Fujiwara Regency

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. 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. 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 starjuice as one of Japan's most forceful emperors. Byodoin Buddhist Temple Ho-o Phoenix Hall Uji, Kyoto Kyoto prefecture Kansai Honshu Japan I took this photograph and contribute it to the public domain. ... Byodoin Buddhist Temple Ho-o Phoenix Hall Uji, Kyoto Kyoto prefecture Kansai Honshu Japan I took this photograph and contribute it to the public domain. ... Built in 998 in the Heian period, ByÅdÅin (å¹³ç‰é™¢) is a temple in the city of Uji in Kyoto prefecture in Japan. ... Kyoto ) is a city in the central part of the island of HonshÅ«, Japan. ... Events August 31 - Paul IV abdicates as Patriarch of Constantinople December 25 - Tarasius elected Patriarch of Constantinople The Japanese capital moved away from Nara. ... Events Emperor Reizei ascends to the throne of Japan The Khazar capital of Atil falls to the Kievan Rus around this year Births Deaths Emperor Murakami of Japan Abu al-Faraj Ali of Isfahan, scholar. ... The Tang Dynasty (Chinese: ; pinyin: ) (18 June 618 â€“ 4 June 907), lasting about three centuries, preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Song Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. ... Changan â–¶(?) (Simplified Chinese: é•¿å®‰; Traditional Chinese: é•·å®‰; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chang-an) is the ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in China. ...

Although Kammu had abandoned universal conscription in 792, he still waged major military offensives to subjugate the Emishi, possible descendants of the displaced Jomon, living in northern and eastern Japan. After making temporary gains in 794, in 797 Kammu appointed a new commander under the title Seii Taishogun. By 801 the shogun had defeated the Emishi and had extended the imperial domains to the eastern end of Honshū. 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. 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. Events Irenes title of empress confirmed. ... The name Emishi was used by the Japanese to designate those groups who opposed and resisted the rule of the Japanese Emperors during the late Nara and early Heian periods (7thâ€“10th centuries A.D.), specifically those who lived in northeastern Japan corresponding to the present-day Tohoku region known... The Jomon period (Japanese: ç¸„æ–‡æ™‚ä»£ JÅmon-jidai) is the time in Japanese history from about 10,000 BCE to 300 BCE. Most scholars agree that by around 40,000 BCE glaciation had connected the islands with the mainland. ... Events Kyoto becomes the Japanese capital. ... Events July 17 - Irene orders her son, the Byzantine emperor Constantine VI captured and deposed August 15 - Irenes orders are accomplished; her son is blinded, and herself declared emperor the next day. ... Events December 28 - Louis the Vrome occupies Barcelona. ... HonshÅ« (æœ¬å·ž Literally Main State) is the largest island of Japan, called the Mainland; it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait. ...

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. 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. 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. Events April 12 - Nicephorus elected patriarch of Constantinople, succeeding Tarasius. ... The Tang Dynasty (Chinese: ; pinyin: ) (18 June 618 â€“ 4 June 907), lasting about three centuries, preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Song Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. ... Events At Hingston Down, Egbert of Wessex beats the Danish and the West Welsh. ...

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. Another Fujiwara became regent, Sessho for his grandson, then a minor emperor, and yet another was appointed Kanpaku. Toward the end of the ninth century, several emperors tried, but failed, to check the Fujiwara. For a time, however, during the reign of Emperor Daigo (897-930), the Fujiwara regency was suspended as he ruled directly. The Soga clan was one of the most powerful clans in Yamato Japan. ... (5th century — 6th century — 7th century — other centuries) Events The first academy of the east the Academy of Gundeshapur founded in Persia by the Persian Shah Khosrau I. Irish colonists and invaders, the Scots, began migrating to Caledonia (later known as Scotland) Glendalough monastery, Wicklow Ireland founded... The Fujiwara family (è—¤åŽŸæ° Fujiwara-uji) was a powerful family of regents in Japan who had a sort of monopoly to the Sekkan positions, SesshÅ and Kampaku. ... (8th century - 9th century - 10th century - other centuries) Events Beowulf might have been written down in this century, though it could also have been in the 8th century Viking attacks on Europe begin Oseberg ship burial The Magyars arrive in what is now Hungary, forcing the Serbs and Bulgars south... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. ... The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. ... (8th century - 9th century - 10th century - other centuries) Events Beowulf might have been written down in this century, though it could also have been in the 8th century Viking attacks on Europe begin Oseberg ship burial The Magyars arrive in what is now Hungary, forcing the Serbs and Bulgars south... Emperor Daigo (é†é†å¤©çš‡ Daigo TennÅ) (January 18, 885â€“ October 23, 930) was the 60th Imperial Ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Events January - the Cadaver Synod July/August- Pope Stephen VII dies and is succeeded by Pope Romanus. ... Events With the establishment of the Icelandic Althing, now the worlds oldest parliament, the Icelandic Commonwealth is founded. ...

Nevertheless, the Fujiwara were not demoted by Daigo but actually became stronger during his reign. 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. 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. The Fujiwara family (è—¤åŽŸæ° Fujiwara-uji) was a powerful family of regents in Japan who had a sort of monopoly to the Sekkan positions, SesshÅ and Kampaku. ... A shÅen ) was a field or manor in Japan. ... ( 9th century - 10th century - 11th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 10th century was that century which lasted from 901 to 1000. ...

Within decades of Daigo's death, the Fujiwara had absolute control over the court. By the year 1000, Fujiwara no Michinaga was able to enthrone and dethrone emperors at will. 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." The Fujiwara family (è—¤åŽŸæ° Fujiwara-uji) was a powerful family of regents in Japan who had a sort of monopoly to the Sekkan positions, SesshÅ and Kampaku. ... Fujiwara no Michinaga (è—¤åŽŸ é“é•·, 966-1027) represents the highpoint of the Fujiwara regents control over the government of Japan. ...

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. There was great interest in graceful poetry and vernacular literature. 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 form of katakana writing and an art form in itself. 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 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. The Fujiwara family (è—¤åŽŸæ° Fujiwara-uji) was a powerful family of regents in Japan who had a sort of monopoly to the Sekkan positions, SesshÅ and Kampaku. ... Vernacular literature is literature written in the vernacular - the speech of the common people. ... Japanese writing Kanji Kana Hiragana Katakana Hentaigana ManyÅgana Uses Furigana Okurigana RÅmaji Kanji (Japanese: ) are the Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese logographic writing system along with hiragana (å¹³ä»®å), katakana (ç‰‡ä»®å), and the Arabic numerals. ... Japanese writing Kanji æ¼¢å— Kana ä»®å Hiragana å¹³ä»®å Katakana ç‰‡ä»®å Manyogana ä¸‡è‘‰ä»®å Uses Furigana æŒ¯ã‚Šä»®å Okurigana é€ã‚Šä»®å RÅmaji ãƒãƒ¼ãƒžå— For other meanings of Kana, see Kana (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Japanese writing Kanji Kana Hiragana Katakana Hentaigana ManyÅgana Uses Furigana Okurigana RÅmaji Hiragana ) are a Japanese syllabary, one component of the Japanese writing system, along with katakana and kanji; the Latin alphabet is also used in some cases. ... ( 9th century - 10th century - 11th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 10th century was that century which lasted from 901 to 1000. ... (10th century - 11th century - 12th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ... Yamato-e (大和絵) is a style of Japanese painting inspired by Zen Buddhism 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. 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. The TaihÅ Code or Code of TaihÅ ) was an administrative reorganization enacted in 702 in Japan, at the end of the Asuka period. ...

The 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. But as the system broke down after 792, local power holders again became the primary source of military strength. Shōen holders had acce;[pl'f;/'[pl8[iuou8oyu8yuyuo9yu7yu7ou7ss 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). Events Irenes title of empress confirmed. ... Japanese samurai in armor, 1860s. ... Japanese samurai in armour, 1860s. ...

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.

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 family (è—¤åŽŸæ° Fujiwara-uji) was a powerful family of regents in Japan who had a sort of monopoly to the Sekkan positions, SesshÅ and Kampaku. ... Taira (å¹³) is a Japanese surname. ... Seiryoji, a temple in Kyoto, was once a villa of Minamoto no Toru (d. ...

The Fujiwara controlled the throne until the reign of Emperor Go-Sanjō (1068-73), the first emperor not born of a Fujiwara mother since the ninth century. 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. 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. Emperor Go-SanjÅ (å¾Œä¸‰æ¡å¤©çš‡ Go-SanjÅ TennÅ) (September 3, 1034 â€“ June 15, 1073) was the 71st imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Events Emperor Go-Sanjo ascends the throne of Japan William the Conqueror takes Exeter after a brief siege Births Henry I of England (d. ... Events Cardinal Hildebrand elevated to papacy as Pope Gregory VII, succeeding Pope Alexander II Emperor Shirakawa ascends the throne of Japan Rabbi Yitchaki Alfassi finishes writing the Rif, an important work of Jewish law. ... An Estate comprises the houses and outbuildings and supporting farmland and woods that surround the gardens and grounds of a very large property, such as a country house or mansion. ... Cloistered Rule, also known as the Insei system, was a process used by some Emperors of Japan by which they would ostensibly retire to a monastery and hand over power to a successor, but continue to exert power and influence from behind the scenes. ...

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. 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. Seiryoji, a temple in Kyoto, was once a villa of Minamoto no Toru (d. ... Events Domesday Book is completed in England Emperor Shirakawa of Japan starts his cloistered rule Imam Ali Mosque is rebuilt by the Seljuk Malik Shah I after being destroyed by fire. ... Events Prince Yuriy Dolgorukiy fortifies Moscow, regarded as the date of the founding of the city Establishment of the Carmelite Order Hogen Rebellion in Japan January 20 - According to legend, freeholder Lalli slays English crusader Bishop Henry with an axe on the ice of the lake KÃ¶yliÃ¶njÃ¤rvi...

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). 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 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. Fujiwara no Yorinaga (藤原頼長; 1120-1156) of the Fujiwara clan held the position of Imperial Palace Minister of the Left. ... Events Prince Yuriy Dolgorukiy fortifies Moscow, regarded as the date of the founding of the city Establishment of the Carmelite Order Hogen Rebellion in Japan January 20 - According to legend, freeholder Lalli slays English crusader Bishop Henry with an axe on the ice of the lake KÃ¶yliÃ¶njÃ¤rvi... The HÅgen Rebellion (ä¿å…ƒã®ä¹±) was a Japanese civil war fought in 1156 over Japanese imperial succession and control of the Fujiwara clan of regents. ... In the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinals are given the right of election of the Pope. ... The Heiji Rebellion (å¹³æ²»ã®ä¹±) was fought between rival subjects of the cloistered emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan in 1159. ... Portrait of Yoritomo (copy) Minamoto no Yoritomo May 9, 1147â€”February 9, 1199) was the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan, who ruled from 1192 until 1199. ... KantÅ region, Japan The KantÅ region (Japanese: é–¢æ±åœ°æ–¹, KantÅ-chihÅ) is a geographical area of HonshÅ«, the largest island in Japan. ... Emperor Antoku (å®‰å¾³å¤©çš‡ Antoku TennÅ) (December 22, 1178 â€“ April 25, 1185) was the 81st imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... The Genpei or Gempei War (æºå¹³åˆæˆ¦ã€å¯¿æ°¸ãƒ»æ²»æ‰¿ã®ä¹±) (1180-1185) was a war of ancient Japan, fought between the Taira and Minamoto clans. ...

Events

< Nara period | History of Japan | Kamakura period > Emperor Kanmu Emperor Kanmu ) (737â€“806) was the 50th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Emperor Kanmu Emperor Kanmu ) (737â€“806) was the 50th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Painting of Kukai (774-835). ... Painting of Kukai (774-835). ... ... Fujiwara no Yorimichi )(990-1074), son of Fujiwara no Michinaga, succeeded his father to the position of Sessho in 1017, and then went on to become Kampaku from 1020 until 1068. ... Emperor Go-SanjÅ (å¾Œä¸‰æ¡å¤©çš‡ Go-SanjÅ TennÅ) (September 3, 1034 â€“ June 15, 1073) was the 71st imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Emperor Shirakawa (ç™½æ²³å¤©çš‡ Shirakawa TennÅ) (July 7, 1053 â€“ July 24, 1129) was the 72nd imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Taira no Kiyomori (平 清盛 1118 - 1181) was a general of the late Heian period of Japan. ... The Nara period ) of the history of Japan covers the years from about AD 710 to 784. ... The written history of Japan began with brief appearances in Chinese history texts from the first century AD. However, archaeological research indicates that people were living on the islands of Japan as early as the upper paleolithic period. ... The following text needs to be harmonized with text in the article History of Japan#Kamakura Period. ...