Japan's Heian period

(794-1185)

By, Evan S

Introduction

In 784, the Japanese emperor decided to move Japan's capital away from the current capital (Nara). Kammu (the emperor) decided to have a city built in Nagaoka, but in 794, he changed his mind. Kammu stopped construction and moved the capital to Heian. Heian became a great, beautiful city, which started Japan's Golden Age (aka the Heian period).

This is a Temple called the Phoenix Hall

It is made with a special kind of architecture

invented in the Heian Period.

About Japan's Golden Age

Many different things happened in this time. An interesting thing is that even though this time is also called the "Golden Age", there were many bad things going on. Money was not used as much as it used to be so people didn't usually pay others, instead they would give them some useful object to be used, or traded again. Also the government didn't really have a police force anymore. There were more crimes being done and less people to stop them. Good things of course, also happened in this time. A new architecture called Byuoudouin was invented in this time and is still used today. Newer Japanese writing (Hiragana) was also invented at this time.

Why the Heian Period was important

Japanese writing was invented in this time. New architecture was also invented in this period and is still used today. Also Japan’s national anthem was written in the Heian Period. Japanese culture is also very similar to as it was in the Golden Age. Heian time poetry, writing, and drama also influence life in Japan today. Many things from the Heian Period affect life in Japan today.

Sources

Frey, Wendy. History Alive!. Palo Alto, Teachers’ Curriculum Institute, 2005.

Heian period. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heian_Period. August 29, 2007.

MSU EMuseum. Heian Period. http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/japan/heian/heian-p.htm. August 30, 2007