The Heian Period [平安時代] or Heian jidai is the last division of classical Japanese history, which runs from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the emergence of the capital of Heian-kyō (now known as Kyoto).
This is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism, and other Chinese influences were at their peak. The Heian period is also considered the height of the Japanese imperial court and is noted for its art, especially poetry and literature.
Although the Imperial House of Japan had power on the surface, real power was in the hands of the Fujiwara clan, a powerful aristocratic family that married into the imperial family. Many emperors actually had mothers from the Fujiwara clan. Heian (平安) means “peace” in Japanese.
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History of the Heian Period
The Heian period was preceded by the Nara period and began in 794 AD after the capital of Japan was moved to Heian-kyō by the 50th emperor, Emperor Kanmu.
Kanmu first attempted to move the capital to Nagaoka-kyō, but a series of disasters occurred in the city, leading the emperor to move the capital for a second time, to Heian. A rebellion occurred in China in the last years of the 9th century, making the political situation unstable.
Japanese missions to China were suspended, and the influx of Chinese exports stopped, a fact that facilitated the growth of an independent Japanese culture called kokufu bunka.
Therefore, the Heian Period is considered a high point in Japanese culture that later generations always admire. The period is also noted for the emergence of the samurai class, which would eventually take power and initiate the feudal period of Japan.
Rise of the Military Class
Under the early courts, when military recruitment had been centrally controlled, military affairs had been taken out of the hands of the provincial aristocracy. But as the system fell after 792, local power holders became the main source of military strength again. The re-establishment of an efficient military system was done gradually through a process of trial and error.
At that time, the imperial court did not have an army but relied on an organization of professional warriors composed mainly of oryoshi, who were appointed to an individual province, and tsuibushi, who were appointed through imperial circuits or for specific tasks. This gave rise to the Japanese military class. However, final authority remained with the imperial court.
Those who owned Shōen (private property) had access to labor and, as they obtained improved military technology (such as new training methods, more powerful bows, armor, better horses, and swords) and faced worsening local conditions in the 9th century, military service became part of the life of the holder of the shōen.
Not only they, 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 (one who serves).
Rise of Buddhism
Buddhism began to spread throughout Japan during this period through two main sects, Tendai and Shingon. Tendai originated in China and is based on the Lotus Sutra, one of the most important sutras of Mahayana Buddhism; the monk Saichō was key to its transmission to Japan. Shingon is the Japanese transmission of the Chinese Chen Yen school. Shingon was brought to Japan by the monk Kūkai.
Emperor Kanmu himself was a notable patron of the Tendai sect. Kūkai impressed later emperors and also future generations with poetry, calligraphy, painting, and sculpture. Shingon, through the use of symbolism and rituals, had broad appeal in the country.
Economic Situation in the Heian Period
Despite all the cultural and religious development in Japan, the economic situation of the country was lamentable.
By the year 1000, Fujiwara Michinaga was able to corner and dethrone emperors at will. Little authority was left for the traditional officialdom, and government affairs were handled by the private administration of the Fujiwara clan.
At that same time, the Fujiwara clan proved incompetent in managing Japan and its provinces, as the economy was so weakened that the government could no longer issue currency, and money began to disappear. Because of this, payment in rice was implemented to replace local money.
The Fujiwara clan also could not maintain adequate police forces, leaving thieves and other criminals roaming freely, which drastically affected the safety of travelers.
The End of the Heian Period
The aristocrats in Heian-kyo lived very well, but in the rural areas of Japan, most people were quite poor. Peasant agriculture and other work financed the rich of Heian-kyo. Even so, the rich despised the poor and ignored their problems.
While the rich focused on culture in Heian-kyo, events in the countryside began to weaken the Heian court. The practice of granting large estates to higher nobles slowly reduced the power of the emperors. Those who owned shoens did not pay taxes. After a while, tax-free land became quite common. The government could no longer collect enough taxes to support the emperor.
The rulers of Japan began to lose control. Criminals roamed the countryside. People of different religions began to unite to attack and rob each other. The government was too weak to provide law enforcement. The owners of shoens created their own police and armies to protect their lands. The profits of landowners were used to pay for their private security instead of supporting the emperor.
In the 12th century, the power of some local lords equaled that of the weakened imperial government. Disputes over land control arose throughout the country. Meanwhile, various clans fought for power in the capital. In 1180, there was a civil war in Japan.
In 1185, Minamoto Yoritomo, head of a military family, took power. A new era began in which military leaders controlled Japan, known as Shogunate.
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