JAPN 2150 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Heian Period, Emperor Kanmu, Fujiwara No Michinaga
Document Summary
Japn 2150 - lecture 7 - the heian period. Emperor kammu moved the capital from nagaoka-kyo to heian-kyo (kyoto) in 794. Cut strong ties between buddhism and government. Modeled after chang"an, the capital city of tang dynasty. Remained the chief political center until 1185. Began declining after a major rebellion in 860. Much less political control over the land. Ending of official diplomatic contact between china and japan. Contact continued by monks, warriors, pirates, but not by imperial state. The tax-exempt shoen swelled to include more than half the land in japan. The central government gradually lost its authority over the land and people. The state allowed/encouraged the growth of private armies. The strong central government was necessary because . Heavy tax farmers deserted their fields. Forced labor for variety of projects, including military service. Imperial state stopped its expansion after the 800s. Began focusing on tax collection and negotiation.
