Nara and Heian Period Japan
Centralization of Japan, Cultural Diffusion from China, and the
breakdown to the Feudal Period
Nara Period• Tribal society • 1st official gov’t Japan ruled by the Yamato
Clan/capital at Nara around 400• Longest ruling family in the world
– Emperor = divine/descendent of Sun Goddess
• Taika Reforms secure gov’t system • Show influence of China but two major
differences:– No Mandate of Heaven– Not Confucian
Shinto & Buddhism
• Native religion = Shinto
• Shinto = animistic/nature spirits
• Buddhism and Shinto were not opposed. -Syncretism
Tōdai-ji東大寺
Heian Period- 794-1185• Government eventually becomes
decentralized
• Emperor lost power, outlying provinces gained power; Japan enters feudal stage.
• Culturally, a Golden Age/many women had prominent cultural roles
• Tale of Genji- Woman wrote the world’s first novel, about court life among the nobility
• Spiffy culture: Origami, tea ceremony,
haiku, sumo
Zen Buddhism– "meditation." – teaches that enlightenment is achieved
through the realization that one is already an enlightened being. This awakening can happen gradually or in a flash of insight
– But in either case, it is the result of one's own efforts. Deities and scriptures can offer only limited assistance.
Feudal Period
• Noble families fought = increasing decentralization
• Emperor = figurehead. Shogun = powerful ruler/warlord
• Daimyo = equivalent to European Lords• Samurai = warriors in vassal position to
daimyo• Bushido = Samurai code of ethics• Samurai failure = Seppuku (belly-splitting)
Prepare for Cuteness