Chapter 9 Japan: Heian Period

Learning Target 7.29 I can trace the emergence of the Japanese nation during the Nara and Heian period.

The Heian Period = Golden Age of Arts Before this time Japan got ideas from China and Korea. During this time there was more Japanese art and culture. After this time Japan had a military society.

Heian Period Heian (now Kyoto) was the capital. Many royals moved there.

Social Position in the Heian Court Your social rank depended on the family you came from.

What does your rank say about you? Higher rank = more servants, more fan folds, colors for robes Lower rank = harsher punishments Nobles and common people did not hang out with each other

Court Life in Heian Nobles seldom left the city. They spent time creating art and watching performances.

Literature Poems about love or nature. Novels and journals were written by Japanese noble women. The world’s first full-length novel, The Tale of the Genji, was written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu.

Art Watercolor paintings Story illustrations Painted fans Calligraphy (decorative writing) Architecture (building design)

Performing Arts Japanese nobles watched different kinds of performers. They had plays using puppets. Later, plays had live actors.

Fashion Men and women wore kimonos (silk robes), had gold jewelry, and painted fans. Women wore long gowns with 12 layers of colored silk. Every layer could be seen.

because a person is uglier Appearance and Beauty White make-up Blackened teeth (sometimes) Pointed beard Women Men Round face Tiny mouth White make-up Blackened teeth Painted-on eyebrows (natural ones were shaved) Hair longer than a woman was tall Sleep only at night because a person is uglier when lying down.