Heian period facts for kids

History of Japan

Paleolithic 35000–10000 BCE Jōmon period 10000–300 BCE Yayoi period 300 BCE–250 CE Kofun period 250–538 Asuka period 538–710 Nara period 710–794 Heian period 794–1185 Kamakura period 1185–1333 Kemmu restoration 1333–1336 Muromachi period 1333–1573 Nanboku-chō period 1336–1392 Sengoku period Azuchi-Momoyama period 1568–1603 Nanban trade Edo period 1603–1868 Late Tokugawa shogunate Meiji period 1868–1912 Meiji Restoration Taishō period 1912–1926 Japan in WWI Shōwa period 1926–1989 Japanese expansionism Occupied Japan Post-Occupation Japan Heisei period 1989-present

The Heian period (平安時代, Heian jidai) was an important time in Japanese history. It lasted from the year 794 to 1185. This period gets its name from the city of Heian-kyō. Today, this city is known as Kyoto.

The Heian Period

History of the Heian Period

The Heian period started in 794. This was when Japan's capital city moved to Heian-kyō. The period ended in 1185. This date marks the start of the Kamakura period.

During the Heian period, Kyoto was the heart of Japanese culture. Many new ideas in art and literature came from this city. It was also during this time that the first known novel was written. The author of this famous book was a woman. Poetry was also very popular in Heian-kyō. People enjoyed writing and sharing poems.

Key Events in the Heian Period

Here are some important events that happened during the Heian period:

• 794: Emperor Kammu moved the capital city to Heian-kyō. This was a big change for Japan.
• 804: A monk named Saichō (also called Dengyo Daishi) started the Tendai Buddhist group in Japan.
• 806: Another monk, Kūkai (also known as Kōbō-Daishi), started the Shingon Buddhist group in Japan. These new groups changed how people practiced Buddhism.

• 858: The rule of Emperor Seiwa began. During his time, the Fujiwara clan became very powerful. They had a lot of influence over the government.
• 895: Sugawara Michizane convinced Emperor Uda to stop sending official groups to China. This meant Japan focused more on its own culture.

• 1053: The beautiful Byōdō-in temple was finished. It is located near Kyoto.
• 1087: Emperor Shirakawa gave up his role as emperor. He became a Buddhist monk. This started a new way of ruling called the Insei system. In this system, retired emperors still had power.

• 1185: Emperor Antoku died. The Taira clan was defeated in the Gempei War. This war marked the end of the Heian period.

Want to Learn More?

• List of Japanese eras

• Metropolitan Museum of Art, Heian Period (794–1185)
• British Museum, Heian period (AD 794-1185)
• Japan-guide.com, Nara and Heian Periods (710-1185)

Images for kids

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  Model of ancient Kyoto with Imperial Palace

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  South wing of the Phoenix Hall in the Byodo-In temple in Uji

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  Miniature model of Heian-kyō, the capital during the Heian period

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  Byōdō-in ("Phoenix Hall"), built in the 11th century (Uji, Kyoto)

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  Section of a handscroll showing a scene from the "Bamboo River" chapter of The Tale of Genji, around 1130

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  Drawing of Fujiwara no Michinaga, by Kikuchi Yōsai

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  Illustrated section of the Lotus Sutra, from the Heike Nōkyō collection of texts, 1167

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  "Genpei Kassen-zu Byo-bu" / Akama Shrine Collection

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  Danjō-garan on Mount Kōya, a sacred center of Shingon Buddhism

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  Painting of the bodhisattva Fugen Enmei (Samantabhadra). Ink on silk, 12th century

See also

In Spanish: Período Heian para niños