Japan's Ancient History: Nara and Heian Periods
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Nara and Heian
The Yamato
During the AD 500s, a clan called the
Yamato ruled Japan.
Yamato chiefs claimed that they were
descended from a sun goddess. This gave
them the right to rule Japan as emperor.
Prince Shotoku
About AD 600, Prince Shotoku was a
About AD 600, Prince Shotoku was a
regent
regent
for
for
his aunt, the empress.
his aunt, the empress.
A
A
regent
regent
is a person who rules a country for
is a person who rules a country for
someone who is unable to rule alone.
someone who is unable to rule alone.
He wanted to give Japan a strong, well-
organized government based on Confucian
ideas.
He also worked to spread Buddhism.
From whom did he learn these ideas?
The Chinese!!!
The Nara Period (710-794)
In the early AD 700s, Japanese emperors
built the first permanent capital city called
Nara
.
The Nara Period
Government officials were ranked into a
Government officials were ranked into a
hierarchy
hierarchy
.
.
Define hierarchy:
Define hierarchy:
a system in which people are ranked one above
a system in which people are ranked one above
the other according to status or authority
the other according to status or authority
Positions were given to nobles from powerful
Positions were given to nobles from powerful
families.
families.
How is this different from the way the Chinese
How is this different from the way the Chinese
chose government officials?
chose government officials?
China used the Civil Service Exam.
China used the Civil Service Exam.
Todaiji
Buddhist teachings had reached Japan
from
Korea
in the AD 500s.
Buddhism
was most highly developed in
Nara.
In AD 770, a Buddhist
monk tried to seize
the throne, so the
emperor decided to
leave Nara for a new
capital.
Heian-kyo (Kyoto) (794-1180)
In AD 794, the
emperor of Japan
moved the capital
from Nara to
Heian-
kyo
.
This city looked a lot
like a major Chinese
city.
The Heian Period=
The Golden Age
of Arts
Emergence of Japan
Nobles and Common
People had little to do with
each other.
Nobles seldom left the city.
They loved beauty and
elegance.
Because of this love, the
court at Heian became a
great center of culture and
learning.
The Heian nobles had
magnificent
wardrobes with silk
robes and gold
jewelry.
They loved elaborate
outfits.
Women wore long
gowns made of 12
layers of colored silk
cleverly cut and
folded to show off
many layers at once.
The most popular art forms of the period
were…
–
Paintings
–
Calligraphy
–
Architecture
The Tale of Genji
: the world’s first novel.
–
Describes the romances and adventures of a
Japanese prince.
–
Written by Murasaki Shikibu, who was a lady-in-
waiting in the royal court.
Poetry-followed a specific structure
–
Waka and Haiku
Discover the rich history of Japan during the Nara and Heian periods, from the rule of the Yamato clan to the emergence of the Heian Period as the Golden Age of Arts and Culture. Learn about influential figures like Prince Shotoku and the transition of the capital from Nara to Heian-kyo. Explore the development of Buddhism, government structures, and the influence of Chinese ideas on Japanese society.
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Presentation Transcript
The Yamato During the AD 500s, a clan called the Yamato ruled Japan. Yamato chiefs claimed that they were descended from a sun goddess. This gave them the right to rule Japan as emperor.
Prince Shotoku About AD 600, Prince Shotoku was a regent for his aunt, the empress. A regent is a person who rules a country for someone who is unable to rule alone. He wanted to give Japan a strong, well- organized government based on Confucian ideas. He also worked to spread Buddhism. From whom did he learn these ideas? The Chinese!!!
The Nara Period (710-794) In the early AD 700s, Japanese emperors built the first permanent capital city called Nara.
The Nara Period Government officials were ranked into a hierarchy. Define hierarchy: a system in which people are ranked one above the other according to status or authority Positions were given to nobles from powerful families. How is this different from the way the Chinese chose government officials? China used the Civil Service Exam.
Todaiji Buddhist teachings had reached Japan from Korea in the AD 500s. Buddhism was most highly developed in Nara.
In AD 770, a Buddhist monk tried to seize the throne, so the emperor decided to leave Nara for a new capital.
Heian-kyo (Kyoto) (794-1180) In AD 794, the emperor of Japan moved the capital from Nara to Heian- kyo. This city looked a lot like a major Chinese city.
The Heian Period= The Golden Age of Arts
Emergence of Japan AD 300s: People of Japan organized in clans, each with a different chief. AD 600: Prince Shotoku brought Chinese ideas to Japan AD 794-1180: The Heian Period-Golden Age of Arts & culture in Japan AD 500s: The Yamato clan ruled most of Japan AD 710-794: The Nara Period- Buddhism became powerful in Japan
Nobles and Common People had little to do with each other. Nobles seldom left the city. They loved beauty and elegance. Because of this love, the court at Heian became a great center of culture and learning.
The Heian nobles had magnificent wardrobes with silk robes and gold jewelry. They loved elaborate outfits. Women wore long gowns made of 12 layers of colored silk cleverly cut and folded to show off many layers at once.
The most popular art forms of the period were Paintings Calligraphy Architecture
The Tale of Genji: the worlds first novel. Describes the romances and adventures of a Japanese prince. Written by Murasaki Shikibu, who was a lady-in- waiting in the royal court. Poetry-followed a specific structure Waka and Haiku
