Chapter 20 Heian-kyo: The Heart of Japan’s Golden Age What was life like for aristocrats during the Heian period? 20.1 Intro ‘The culture of medieval Japan was rich and vated hapter, you wll ee Japanese eulture lowered fom the 9th to the 12th centuries As you may know, Japan is ase enough tothe mainland of Asa tobe affected by cultural ideas fom that region. At the same time, the waterways separating the exchanges sn th wrth oth how a unique Asian peop 784, the emperor Kamm moved span from mainland Asia helped protect thr rotece ceoettnn Nevvs nes fom conquest by other Aslan peoples. As result Japan samy. Tis bean the Neon pri, ed politically independents ‘ime ofc cutural development hd the chanceto deve For most ofthe 8h ty of Nara was the imp sia capital of apa. During this time, contacts with China ‘emperor Kamm moved the capital to Heian-kyo (hay AHN eeyo), This event marks the start ofthe Heian period, which Ing this ime, aristocrats le reat flourishing of Japanese culture. Te aristocrats prized beauty elegance, and correct ‘manners, Over time they developed new forms of literature brought many new cultural eas to Japan. Then, in 794 the a: 1 and art. Pots wrote delicately about feelings and the fragile | KOREA, beauties of mature, Court women composed diaties and other apn \ypes of nonfiction, a8 well sition, Painters and sculptors eT recs Invented new styles of at. Performers entertained the court With ne kinds of mus, dance, and drama ‘The bilan cukuce of the Heian period stil inflve Japanese art and lif, ln this chapter you wil learn more about Japan's golden age. You will lok at how Heian aristocrats lived snd how they created new kinds of Japanese art and terature This seene rom he Taleo antustratos th oxrous estate aristocrats uring the Heian pari Helan yo: The Hear of aan Golden Age 287‘The Phoenic Hal wa neo the most capita ety of eian-yo Heian poviod the cukural flowering in Japan that took place between the late &th and the ate 12th centuries 238 Chaptee20 20.2 A New Capital Dring the sth century, the Buddhist priests of Nara gained a _great deal of influence over the Japanese cour. In 784, the emperor Kamm decided to move his capital away from Nava, in part becuse he thought the priest power was damaging tothe government. The ‘emperor also wanted large, grander city for his capital The ist ste Kamm chose was Nagaoka, out 30 miles fom Nara, But the move was trouble from ealy on, AS money poured in to build the new city, rumors of corruption or dishonesty, few eople si the and had been acquired through a deal with a ich Chinese family. The site also seemed to be unlucky, because the emperor fm iy suferedillneses at this time. In 794, the emperor stopped work o the city. Once again, he ordered that the capital be moved This time, Kammu chose a village on the Yodo Rivet. Te site was both lovelir than Nagaoka and ease o defend, Thre, Kammubegsn building anew city he called Heian-kyo, Kyo means “ity” Japanese Heian kyo means, “The Capital of Peace and Tranulity” This event marks the beginning ofthe Heian perio. Heian kyo became the ist truly Japanese ct. Today is the city ‘of Kyoto, As with Nara, Heiankyo was lad ut in a checkerbosrd pattern lke the Chines city of Chang'an. Bult ona grand sale the walle city was lovely and elegant, It was set in forested hills arid ‘reams, waterfalls and lakes, Ithad wide, tree-lined eseets, Shines and temples blended with the area's natural beauty Heian kyo's crssrossing strects were modeled after those of CChangaa, but the city’s architecture was Japanese. Inthe center of the city were palaces and government offices. Wealthy Heian families lived in mansions surrounded by beautiful gardens with rtf lakes. The grounds ofeach home covered three to four acres andwere enclosed by white stone walls, Inside the mansions, large rooms were divided by screens or curtains and connected with open-air covered hallways, Simplicity ‘eos considered beaulful o there wre few objectson the wood floors (her than straw mats and cushions The Japanese didnot use chairs Dally fe was very formal, and correct manners were exteemely portant Fr example, a Heian lady st behind a portable scren. ‘he screen hi her fom view while she talked and took pati ie round the house, An unmarried lady would permit her suitor to see pst the screen only after a romance had become serious 20.3 The Rise of the Fujiwara Family ‘Daring much ofthe Hetan period, which was a golden rats were the political and cultral leaders of Japan. By the mid-8th entry the teal power inthe imperial court shifted fom the emperor to aristocratic families, The most important of these noble families ‘pre the Fujwars, who controlled Japan for neaely 300 years The Fujiwara were never actually ruler. The Japanese believe that the emperor's family was descended from Japan's sun goddess. This ave the oyal family special right to govern, Bu the Fujiwara had she ways of exercising power First, beginning in 858, the ujwara marvied many oftheir daugh ters into the royal anil, Tey also made eure that sons of Fujara royal wives were choten tobe emperors Second, the Fujiwara acted as advisers to the emperor. In reality they had more power than the rulers they guided. They often coaxed older emperors to etre so that 4 child or youth could take the throne. Then the Fjivara ruled as regents in the young emperor’ name. golden age aperiodina nation’s past during which its culture and society attained the hight of achievement and power Fujara Michnage, one a he mast aworttasters dria Japan's oigen age, asvery weak. Inthis pope rom theiary of Lady Murssai Mihinage in entering by watching boston & Int thine san-ky The Heart of opa's Golden Age 239Noble women in higher ons od Servants to help them win thie prsanal needs fom morning a ih 240 Chapter20 “The most succesful Pjivara leader was Fujiwara Michinag, who Jed Japan fom 995 to 1028, He never had an oficial position inthe government However this smart ambitious man had the respect of al around him, He ws the father-in-law of four emperors andthe grandfather of three more, He ved feof great wealth and luxary, Michinaga rightly sai, “This word, [thinks ned my world” Michinaga is one ofthe best known figures in Japan's history. Du. Ing his time in power, the Fujiwara family became even riche. They built palaces, mansions, and temples. After Michinagas death, his son built a famous temple that came to be called Phoenix Hall. It ely earned this name because it was shaped ike a bird in light. Pact ofthe temple stil stands asa gracious reminder of Japan’ golden age ‘The Pajwara family used their power to better their own lies, However the also kept peace in Japan for nearly thee ceturis. 1 peace helped Japanese culture blosiom during the Heian period 20.4 Social Position in the Heian Court Rank was very important during this period twas determined Almost completely by a person's beth family’s rank. Birth nto a high ranking filly mattered more than personal quate o skills, “There were nine main ranks in the Heian court hierarchy. High court nobles filled the top three ranks. These nobles were appointed by the emperor Less important oficial ill the fourth and fifth ranks. [Nobles nll these ranks received profit from rice farms throughout the country. They also received money from taxes paid by peasant farmers the sixth through the ninth ranks were filled by minor of- ficial, clerks, and experts in such fields as aw and medicine. The nine main ranks were divided int clases, such as Senior and junior upper and lower. In al, there were some 30 sub-ranks. Each tankkbrought with it specific privileges and detailed rules of conduct Members of aifeent ranks had diffrent types of houses snd ca riage, Rank determined the numberof servants people had, end even the number of olds the fans they carried. Men of the fist, second, and third ranks carried fans with 25 folds. Men ofthe fourth and ith tanks used fans with 23 folds. The fans of those in lower ranks had oly 12 fol This precise ranking system also determined such matters s what color clothings noble could wear and the height ofthe gatepost in front of his family’s home, In addition, ifa person were found guilty of crime, rank determined how harsh the sentence would be, ‘courtior amale member ofa rulers court 20.5 Beauty and Fashion During the Heian Period olan society prized beauty, elegance and fashion. To be described as ‘yo (good), people had to come fom en important family. They also had to look nice and be sensitive to beauty In nature, poetry, and art. Individual were jadged om whether or not they had good taste, The silty to recognize beauty was valued over qualities like generosity and honesty Both men and women groomed themselves with great care Small, courtiers For pointed beards were considered attractive on ‘women, lng hair was aa important beauty feature, dally, a womans Inar would grow longer than she was all The Japanese of this time considered white teeth unattractive, so both men and women carefully Hackened their teeth They used a ye other ingredients soaked in tea or vinegar. Per- sonal sent was also very significant, so both men and women wore perfume. Perfume competitions were frequent and popular. People ‘guarded thie perfume ecpes carefully. For women, makeup was also important, Women used white face ‘made from ion powide to make themselves look very pale. Over the chalky powder, a Heian woman put touches of red on her cheeks. Then she painted on a Long ir yabrows pine high nthe small red mouth, She also placed out her eyebrows and punted on a frehesd,andbviht re ip ere signs obey daring the Heian pra setin ust the right spot on her forehead. ‘A woman’ clothing needed tobe ornate and beauliful. An aristo cratic woman might wear as many as 12 silk underrobes at onetime, When she rode in a carriage, she might dangle a wrist so that people {in the street would notice the lovely layers of colored sik The lve of beauty also showed in ean architecture, calligraphy, poetry and artwork, Concern with form and bensty was so great that ‘courtiers sometimes had to perform stylized dances as pat oftheir oficial duties. Heian kyo: The Hear of fapans Golden Age 241