The Contrast of the Heian-Era Courtier and the Kamakura Samurai
The Contrast of the Heian-Era Courtier and the Kamakura Samurai
April 29, 2011
The Contrast of the Heian-Era Courtier and the Kamakura Samurai
The major periods that shaped Japan’s history and future were the Heian-era of Aristocracy and the Kamakura period of Samurai. The Heian-era and the Kamakura period are interesting because of their differences in social structure, tradition, and culture. In the Heian era, the aristocrat’s social class was sought by many because of their social and cultural status. When the warrior rise in the Kamakura age the social classes change dramatically between aristocrat and warrior. The Heian-era (794-1191) was an age of self development in Japan’s culture and tradition. Before the Heian-era, Japan modeled China’s civilization because of their advancement in inventions and discoveries. “…Chinese economy had grown spectacularly, and in fields as diverse as rice cultivation, the production of iron and steel, and the printing of books, China’s method of production were highly advanced”( Bedford, 2009). Despite the economic growth China was going through civil wars that threaten Japan’s government stability. As the Tang Dynasty declined Japan turned away from Chinese tradition to develop their aristocratic society. As a result, Japan revised their former Chinese based government, and this brought about the Heian-era. The Kamakura period (1185-1333) was an age of military control within the government. Toward the end of the Heian-era nobles and imperials desire for power had no bounds. When the disputes between noble and imperials could not be solved through civil means, they sought the aid of warriors to fight their battles. As the governments weaken the warriors took control, and this brought about the rise of samurais also known as Feudal Japan.
It is important to understand the social class of the Heian-era before analyzing the aristocratic society. Naturally the emperor claimed sovereignty over Japan. Government
April 29, 2011
The Contrast of the Heian-Era Courtier and the Kamakura Samurai
The major periods that shaped Japan’s history and future were the Heian-era of Aristocracy and the Kamakura period of Samurai. The Heian-era and the Kamakura period are interesting because of their differences in social structure, tradition, and culture. In the Heian era, the aristocrat’s social class was sought by many because of their social and cultural status. When the warrior rise in the Kamakura age the social classes change dramatically between aristocrat and warrior. The Heian-era (794-1191) was an age of self development in Japan’s culture and tradition. Before the Heian-era, Japan modeled China’s civilization because of their advancement in inventions and discoveries. “…Chinese economy had grown spectacularly, and in fields as diverse as rice cultivation, the production of iron and steel, and the printing of books, China’s method of production were highly advanced”( Bedford, 2009). Despite the economic growth China was going through civil wars that threaten Japan’s government stability. As the Tang Dynasty declined Japan turned away from Chinese tradition to develop their aristocratic society. As a result, Japan revised their former Chinese based government, and this brought about the Heian-era. The Kamakura period (1185-1333) was an age of military control within the government. Toward the end of the Heian-era nobles and imperials desire for power had no bounds. When the disputes between noble and imperials could not be solved through civil means, they sought the aid of warriors to fight their battles. As the governments weaken the warriors took control, and this brought about the rise of samurais also known as Feudal Japan.
It is important to understand the social class of the Heian-era before analyzing the aristocratic society. Naturally the emperor claimed sovereignty over Japan. Government
References: Adolphson, M. S., Kamens, E., & Matsumoto, S. (2007). Heian Japan, Centers and Peripheries. Honolulu, Hawaii: Honolulu University of Hawaii Press. Bedford /St Martin 's (2009). World History and Western Civilization. Miller, L. (2006). Beauty Up: Exploring Contemporary Japanese Body Aesthetics. Berkeley, California: Berkeley University of California Press. MI Marketing Pty Ltd. ACN. (2001). Japanese Lifestyle. Retrieved from http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/culture/samurai_history.html Samurai. (2008, April 4). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:58, April 27, 2011 from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Samurai?oldid=687639. Schalow, P. G. (2007). Poetics of Courtly Male Friendship in Heian Japan. Honolulu, Hawaii: Honolulu University of Hawaii Press.