Japan: The Heian Period (794-1185)
The Heian Period was an amazing time in Japanese history. A period of unprecedented peace and security was the major theme during this time in history. Japanese culture also flourished during this time as it never had before and that is why this time is called "Classical" Japan. This time period is considered the highlight of the Japanese imperial rule and is noted for the art that was produced during the time. The most significant art produced was the poetry and literature. One of the oldest known novels in the world, The Tale of Genji, was written during this period. The oldest collections of poetry were also collected at this time.
During this time period, the capital was moved from Nara to Heian-kyo, or city of peace and tranquility, in 795a.c.e. The ruling family during this time was the Fujiwara who managed hold on to their power for over three centuries. The Fujiwara controlled the political scene through marriages with the imperial family and by occupying all the important political offices in Kyoto and the major provinces. The power of the Fujiwara reached its peak with Fujiwara Michinaga in 1016ce. However, after Michinaga, the Fujiwara's power began to decline and many land owners hired Samurai for protection. That is how the military class became more and more influential.
Also, during this time period, the Samurai became a part of the hierarchal system, just below the Emperor in status. The samurai were professional soldiers and owed their loyalty to the emperor. The word "samurai" means "to serve" in Japanese and the samurai were servants to the emperor. During the Heian Period, the samurai gradually became private armies and were loyal to local aristocracy and warlords (daimyo).
The Fujiwara reign came to an end in 1068 when a new emperor came to power, Go-Sanjo. He ruled until 1156, when Taira Kiyomori came to power. Shortly after Kiyomori died, another family fought the Taira for power. They were called the Minamoto. Both the Taira and the Minamoto fought in the Gempei War, 1180 to 1185. By the end of the War, the Minamoto ended up ruling Japan, and Minamoto Yoritomo succeeded as the leader of Japan. After he eliminated any threat to his reign, he was appointed Shogun (highest military officer) and established his new government in the city of Kamakura.
The Japanese, during this time, began to develop a culture that was their own and independent of Chinese culture, that had formed the cultural life in Japan up to this point in Japanese history. There were two things that the Japanese developed during this period; first, they developed an entirely different written language, second, they developed a court culture that was uniquely Japanese rather than Chinese in nature.
http://www.mutsu-no-kuni.com/untitled_21.htm
http://www.thefinertimes.com/Middle-Ages/japan-in-the-middle-ages.html
Japan: The Nara Period (8th Century)
The Nara period is sometimes nicknamed the “golden age.” During this time Japan’s capitol was changed to Nara. This is also the time when Buddhism was introduced and developed into several groups. The capital city of Nara was modeled after the Chinese capital Ch'ang-an and became Japan's first permanent capital in A.D. 710. The government and laws became stricter and more defined. A new, more powerful, nobility and aristocracy came to power. Land had to be registered by the government, taxes were collected in a more efficient manner, and government buildings and other architecture were built. A census was conducted every five years, and citizens’ allowance for land ownership was reviewed. The social and popular culture also flourished as well.
During the Nara period, an increase in political development was signified by conflicts between church and state. These conflicts occurred between the Buddhist religious leaders and the government’s imperial family. Conflicts between the imperial family and the Regents also occurred. During this time Japan had a peaceful relationship with who they usually regarded as enemies, the Silla people. The Silla people lived on the Southeast coast on Korea. In the Nara period Japan managed to establish a good relationship with China’s Tang dynasty.
The capitol was moved again to Nagaoka-kyo in the year 784. The reason for this move was in order to avoid more conflicts with the Buddhist priests. Ten years later, in the year 794, it was moved again to Hein-kyo. This capital city is the city of Kyoto today, and Kyoto remained the capitol until 1868.
The Nara Period was also an agricultural and village-based society. Most Japanese lived in pit houses and worshiped Kami, or nature spirits. During this time period, there was a gradual decline in Chinese influence. Many imported ideas were gradually "Japanized" and made a part of the Japanese culture. The development of Kana, or a syllable based written language, was developed and made the creation of actual Japanese literature possible. Prior to Kana, all literature was in Chinese.
The emergence of historical writings in Japan started what would become legendary, mythological accounts of Japan’s beginning. According to the myths, Japan’s founder was the ancient Emperor Jimmu who founded Japan in 660 BC, and he was a direct descendant of the Shinto spirit (kami) Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. Jimmu supposedly began a line of emperors that remains today. Historians believe that the books contain some fact, but that in reality, the original emperor of Japan was Ojin. However, today Japan is run by a prime minister as the country’s leader.
http://www.mutsu-no-kuni.com/untitled_14.htm
http://www.thefinertimes.com/Middle-Ages/japan-in-the-middle-ages.html