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A Court of Refinement |
Buddhist clergy interfered too much in politics, so capital moved from Nara to Kyoto in 794. Fujiwara clan became more powerful from 858 to 1185. Many clan members married into emperor’s family. Courtiers created culture of the period. They used language and traditions brought from China. |
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Literature of the Court |
Kanji writing system was borrowed from Chinese pictograms. Japanese developed Hiragana system, which has a symbol for each syllable. Poetry, diaries, and Tale of Genji all examples of writing that became important in the Kyoto court. |
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Life in the Provinces |
Provincial nobles controlled life in provinces. By 1100, nobles had taken back most land lost during Taika Reforms. Small landowners gave land to nobles & became tenant farmers. They did this so they wouldn’t have to pay taxes or serve in the army. Peasants were very poor, but Kyoto courtiers ignored them. |