Nara-Narayana

Before the beginning of the Heian Period in Japan, Tang China had been influencing Japanese culture greatly until the An Lushan rebellion debilitated the economy. Japan shut itself off from other countries and shunned China because of this cataclysm; they also began to cultivate their own culture. One product of this new isolation was Shinden Zukuri, a Japanese architectural style used during the Heian period (794-1185). In this style, one story buildings and corridors were always made of wood, never

to look to themselves for as the center of all things. Poetry began during this time in Heian aristocratic society not simply as a personal accomplishment which could prove the quality of a gentlemen or gentlewoman as it had been since at least the Nara period. It became a more sophisticated

This period of Japanese history is notable by its visual impact. During the Heien era women had the most influence upon the social aesthetics of society at the time. They dictated what was beautiful in all things, including poetry, wardrobe, the arrangement of their homes and gardens. Such a profound influence has continued to be important within Japan today, as many of the Heian precepts of beauty are still considered the height of society today. Beauty, in all things, was considered of utmost

Introduction In the history of Japan, the Heian period is thought by many critics and literally experts an important age of art and culture. During this time period, Japan was able to develop a strong and very important sense of native visuals. The period was so developed that even merchants and warriors had started in becoming important political and social figures within the Heian period. The period had also witnessed a substantial rise in liberty of women and importance of feminism but it also

Marital Bliss in Heian Japan The culture and art of Heian Japan is incredibly rich and well preserved through works of prose and poetry. Through works such as The Pillow Book, Tales of Ise and The Tale of Genji modern readers get a glimpse into the sprawling world of aristocratic life. In The Tale of Genji, a nuanced portrait of the ideals and emotions of arises, and although a work of fiction allows us to more fully understand the elite of this time and their relationships to one another. Aristocratic

     The Japanese culture has allowed for very little diversity. This started very early in their history. The social controls used to eliminate diversity are the family, the power of gender, the poor treatment of minority groups, the corporate Japanese mentality, and the respect required by people in authority. However, due to globalization and the shrinking of the world, Japanese society is starting to make the change to diversity. The individualistic mentality shared by

independence of foreign influence marked this time. The move to the capital of Heian-kyō (modern day Kyoto) was motivated in large part on a desire by Emperor Kammu to reduce the substantial influence exercised by the monasteries in Heijō-kyō (modern day Nara). Nara was patterned after the capital city of Tang, China, and its religion was based on their brand of Buddhism. Earlier Imperial sponsorship of Buddhism had politicized the clergy, resulting in power and corruption within their leadership.

This era of Japan is notable by its visual impact, an area of life that the women had the most influence upon their society at the time and that influence has continued within Japan today. Beauty, in all things, was considered of utmost importance: in language, the written word, the spoken word, the costume, gardens, and in the very essence of the culture. Mono no aware, a term coined in the 19th century by Motoori Norinaga in regards to the Heian concept of beauty, best describes the Heian thoughts

Beginning with the Nara period, female monks were included in the temple system and were given increased roles in the “priestly functions similar to those of their male peers” (Ambros 55). Japanese women were able to participate in Buddhist traditions in many ways. Women

My knowledge of the history of Asia mostly comprises of Japanese history and its culture. My knowledge is mostly from modern Japan, a little from the Heian Period, the Edo Period and also the Azuchi-Momoyama Period. I found out some of the information from past research papers I wrote for my history classes in high school, friends, family members, and anime. Japan’s culture developed in a rapid pace compared some other parts of the world in the Heian era. An example would be The Tale of Genji by