---
title: Heian Period
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Heian_Period/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2022-09-18
---

# Heian Period

_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_

The Heian Period of Japanese history covers 794 to 1185 CE and saw a great flourishing in Japanese [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) from [literature](https://www.worldhistory.org/literature/) to paintings. Government and its administration came to be dominated by the [Fujiwara clan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Fujiwara_Clan/) who eventually were challenged by the Minamoto and Taira clans. The period, named after the capital [Heiankyo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heiankyo/), closes with the [Genpei War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Genpei_War/) in which the Minamoto were victorious and their leader Yoritomo established the [Kamakura](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kamakura/) Shogunate.

### From [Nara](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nara/) to Heiankyo

During the [Nara Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nara_Period/) (710-794 CE) the Japanese imperial court was beset by internal conflicts motivated by the aristocracy battling each other for favours and positions and an excessive influence on policy from [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) sects whose temples were dotted around the capital. Eventually, the situation resulted in [Emperor Kammu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Emperor_Kammu/) (r. 781-806 CE) moving the capital from Nara to (briefly) Nagaokakyo and then to Heiankyo in 794 CE to start afresh and release the government from corruption and Buddhist influence. This marked the beginning of the Heian Period which would last into the 12th century CE.

The new capital, Heiankyo, meaning 'the capital of peace and tranquillity,' was laid out on a regular grid plan. The [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) had a wide central avenue which dissected the eastern and western quarters. [Architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/) followed Chinese models with most buildings for public administration having crimson columns supporting green tiled roofs. Private homes were much more modest and had thatch or bark roofs. The aristocracy had palaces with their own carefully landscaped gardens and a large pleasure park was built south of the royal [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) (Daidairi). No Buddhist temples were permitted in the central part of the city and artisan quarters developed with workshops for artists, [metal](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/metal/) workers and potters.

No Heian Period buildings survive today from the capital except the Shishin-den (Audience Hall) which was burnt down but faithfully reconstructed and the Daigoku-den (Hall of State) which suffered a similar fate and was rebuilt on a smaller scale at the Heian Shrine. From the 11th century CE the city's longtime informal name meaning simply 'the capital city' was officially adopted: Kyoto. It would remain the capital of Japan for a thousand years.

### Heian Government

Kyoto was the centre of a government which consisted of the emperor, his high ministers, a council of state and eight ministries which, with the help of an extensive bureaucracy, ruled over some 7,000,000 people spread over 68 provinces, each ruled by a regional governor and further divided into eight or nine districts. In wider Japan, the lot of the peasantry was not quite so rosy as the aesthetics-preoccupied nobility at court. The vast majority of Japan's population worked the land, either for themselves or the estates of others, and they were burdened by banditry and excessive taxation. Rebellions such as occurred in Kanto under the leadership of Taira no Masakado between 935 and 940 CE were not uncommon.

[ ![Model of Kyoto](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/6582.jpg?v=1673096523) Model of Kyoto Wikiwikiyarou (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6582/model-of-kyoto/ "Model of Kyoto")The policy of distributing public lands which had been instigated in previous centuries came to an end by the 10th century CE, and the result was that the proportion of land held in private hands gradually increased. By the 12th century CE 50% of land was held in private estates (*shoen*) and many of these, given special dispensation through favours or due to religious reasons, were exempt from paying tax. This situation would cause a serious dent in the state's finances. Wealthy landowners were able to reclaim new land and develop it, thus increasing their wealth and opening an ever wider gap between the haves and have-nots. There were also practical political repercussions as the large estate owners became more remote from the land they owned, many of them actually residing at court in Heiankyo. This meant that estates were managed by subordinates who sought to increase their own power, and conversely, the nobility and the emperor became more separated from everyday life. Most commoners' contact with the central authority was limited to paying the local tax collector and brushes with the metropolitan police force which not only maintained public order but also tried and sentenced criminals.

Even at court the emperor, although still important and still considered divine, became sidelined by powerful bureaucrats who all came from one family: the Fujiwara clan. Figures such as Michinaga (966-1028 CE) not only dominated policy and government bodies such as the household treasury office (*kurando-dokoro*) but also managed to marry off their daughters to emperors. Further weakening the royal position was the fact that many emperors took the throne as children and so were governed by a regent (*Sessho*), usually a representative of the Fujiwara family. When the emperor reached adulthood, he was still advised by a new position, the *Kampaku*, which ensured the Fujiwara still pulled the political strings of court. To guarantee this situation was perpetuated, new emperors were nominated not by birth but by their sponsors and encouraged or forced to abdicate when in their thirties in favour of a younger successor. For example, Fujiwara Yoshifusa put his seven-year-old grandson on the throne in 858 CE and then became his regent. Many Fujiwara statesmen would act as regent for three or four emperors during their career.

The dominance of the Fujiwara was not total and did not go unchallenged. Emperor Shirakawa (r. 1073-1087 CE) attempted to assert his independence from the Fujiwara by abdicating in 1087 CE and allowing his son Horikawa to reign under his supervision. This strategy of 'retired' emperors, still in effect governing, became known as 'cloistered government' (*insei*) as the emperor usually remained behind closed doors in a monastery. It added another wheel to the already complex machine of government.

Back in the provinces, new power-brokers were emerging. Left to their own devices and fuelled by blood from the minor nobility produced by the process of dynastic shedding (when an emperor or aristocrat had too many children they were removed from the line of inheritance), two important groups evolved, the Minamoto (aka Genji) and Taira (aka Heike) clans. With their own private armies of [samurai](https://www.worldhistory.org/Samurai/), they became important instruments in the hands of rival members of the Fujiwara clan's internal power struggle which broke out in the 1156 CE Hogen Disturbance and the 1160 CE Heiji Disturbance.

[ ![Battles of the Genpei War](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/6496.jpg?v=1670946845) Battles of the Genpei War Ash Crow (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6496/battles-of-the-genpei-war/ "Battles of the Genpei War")The Taira, led by Taira no Kiyomori, eventually swept away all rivals and dominated government for two decades. However, in the Genpei [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) (1180-1185), the Minamoto returned victorious, and at the war's finale, the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Dannoura, the Taira leader, Tomamori, and the young emperor Antoku committed suicide. The [Minamoto clan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Minamoto_Clan/) leader Yoritomo was shortly after given the title of [shogun](https://www.worldhistory.org/Shogun/) by the emperor and his rule would usher in the [Kamakura Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kamakura_Period/) (1185-1333 CE), also known as the Kamakura Shogunate, when Japanese government became dominated by the military.

### Heian [Religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/)

In terms of religion, [Buddhism](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) continued its dominance, helped by such noted scholar monks as [Kukai](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kukai/) (774-835 CE) and [Saicho](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saicho/) (767-822 CE), who founded the Shingon and Tendai Buddhist sects respectively. They brought from their visits to [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/) new ideas, practices, and texts, notably the *Lotus* *[Sutra](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sutra/)* (*Hokke-kyo*) which contained the new message that there were many different but equally valid ways to enlightenment. There was also Amida (Amitabha), the [Buddha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Siddhartha_Gautama/) of Pure Land Buddhism, who could help his followers on this difficult path.

Buddhism's spread was assisted by government patronage, although, the emperor was wary of undue power amongst the Buddhist clergy and so took to appointing abbots and confining monks to their monasteries. Buddhist sects had become powerful political entities and although monks were forbidden from carrying weapons and killing, they could pay novice monks and mercenaries to do their fighting for them to win power and influence in the mishmash of nobles, landed-estate managers, private and imperial armies, emperor and ex-emperors, pirates, and warring clans that plagued the Heian political landscape.

[ ![Sutra Inscribed Tablet](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/6543.jpg?v=1772482456) Sutra Inscribed Tablet James Blake Wiener (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6543/sutra-inscribed-tablet/ "Sutra Inscribed Tablet")Confucian and Taoist principles also continued to be influential in the centralised administration, and the old [Shinto](https://www.worldhistory.org/Shinto/) and animist beliefs continued, as before, to hold sway over the general populace while Shinto temples such as the Ise Grande Shrine remained important places of pilgrimage. All of these faiths were practised side by side, very often by the same individuals, from the emperor to the humblest farmer.

### Relations With China

Following a final embassy to the [Tang](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tang_Dynasty/) court in 838 CE, there were no longer formal diplomatic relations with China as Japan became somewhat isolationist without any necessity to defend its borders or embark on territorial [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/). However, sporadic [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) and cultural exchanges continued with China, as before. Goods imported from China included medicines, worked [silk](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silk/) fabrics, ceramics, weapons, armour, and musical instruments, while Japan sent in return pearls, [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) dust, [amber](https://www.worldhistory.org/Amber/), raw silk, and gilt lacquerware.

Monks, scholars, musicians, and artists were sent to see what they could learn from the more advanced culture of China and bring back new ideas on anything from painting to [medicine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/medicine/). Students also went, many spending several years studying Chinese administrative practices and bringing back their knowledge to the court. Books came too, a catalogue dating to 891 CE lists more than 1,700 Chinese titles made available in Japan which cover history, poetry, court protocols, medicine, laws, and Confucian classics. Still, despite these exchanges, the lack of regular missions between the two states from the 10th century CE meant that the Heian Period overall saw a diminishing in the influence of Chinese culture, which meant that Japanese culture began to find its own unique path of development.

### Heian Culture

The Heian period is noted for its cultural achievements, at least at the imperial court. These include the creation of a Japanese [writing](https://www.worldhistory.org/writing/) (*kana*) using Chinese characters, mostly phonetically, which permitted the production of the world's first novel, the *[Tale of Genji](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tale_of_Genji/)* by Murasaki Shikibu (c. 1020 CE), and several noted diaries (*nikki*) written by court ladies, including *[The Pillow Book](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Pillow_Book/)* by Sei Shonagon which she completed c. 1002 CE. Other famous works of the period are the *[Izumi Shikibu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Izumi_Shikibu/) Diary*, Fujiwara no Michitsuna's *Kagero nikki,* and a *Tale of Flowering Fortunes* by Akazome Emon.

[ ![Tale of Genji Illustration](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/6492.jpg?v=1599455703) Tale of Genji Illustration Unknown Artist (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6492/tale-of-genji-illustration/ "Tale of Genji Illustration")This flourishing of [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/)'s writing was largely due to the Fujiwara ensuring that their sponsored women at court were surrounded by an interesting and educated entourage in order to attract the affections of the emperor and safeguard their monopoly on state affairs. It also seems that men were not interested in frivolous diaries and commentaries on court life, leaving the field open to women writers who collectively created a new genre of literature which examined the transitory nature of life, encapsulated in the phrase *mono no aware* (the sadness or pathos of things). Those men who did write history did so anonymously or even pretended to be women such as Ki no Tsurayuki in his travel memoir *Tosa nikki*.

Men did write poetry, though, and the first anthology of royally commissioned Japanese poems, the *Kokinshu* ('Collection of the Past and Present') appeared in 905 CE. It was a collection of poems by men and women and was compiled by Ki no Tsurayuki, who famously stated, "The seeds of Japanese poetry lie in the human heart" (Ebrey, 199).

Besides literature, the period also saw the production of especially fine clothing at the royal court, using silk and Chinese brocades. Visual arts were represented by screen paintings, intricate hand scrolls of pictures and text (*e-maki*), and fine calligraphy. An aristocrat's reputation was built not only on his position at court or in the administration but also his appreciation of these things and his ability to compose his own poetry, play [music](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Music/), dance, master board games like *go,* and perform feats of archery.

Painters and sculptors continued to use Buddhism as their inspiration to produce wooden sculptures (painted or left natural), paintings of scholars, gilded [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) bells, rock-cut sculptures of Buddha, ornate bronze mirrors, and lacquered cases for sutras which all helped spread the new sects' imagery around Japan. Such was the demand for art that for the first time a class of professional artists arose, the work previously having been created by scholar monks. Painting also became a fashionable pastime for the aristocracy.

Gradually, a more wholly-Japanese approach expanded the range of subject matter in art. A Japanese style, *Yamato-e*, developed in painting particularly, which distinguished it from Chinese works. It is characterised by more angular lines, the use of brighter colours, and greater decorative details. Lifelike portraits of court personalities such as those by Fujiwara Takanobu, illustrations inspired by Japanese literature, and landscapes became popular, paving the way for the great works to come in the medieval period.

 This content was made possible with generous support from the [Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation](http://www.gbsf.org.uk/?utm_source=ancient.eu&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=ancient.eu).

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [Beasley, W.G. *The Japanese Experience A Short History of Japan.* University of California, 1999.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B000ORKKBI/)
- [Ebrey, P.B. *Pre-Modern East Asia.* Cengage Learning, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1133606512/)
- [Henshall, K. *Historical Dictionary of Japan to 1945.* Scarecrow Press, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0810878712/)
- [Mason, R.H.P. *A History of Japan.* Tuttle Publishing, 1997.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/080482097X/)
- [Tsuda, N. *A History of Japanese Art.* Tuttle Publishing, 2009.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/4805310316/)
- [Whitney Hall, J. *The Cambridge History of Japan, Vol. 2.* Cambridge University Press, 1999.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0521223539/)

## About the Author

Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.

## Timeline

- **767 CE - 822 CE**: Life of [Saicho](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saicho/), founder of Tendai [Buddhism](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) in [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/).
- **774 CE - 835 CE**: Life of the monk [Kukai](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kukai/) (aka Kobo Daishi), founder of Shingon [Buddhism](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) in [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/).
- **781 CE - 806 CE**: Reign of [Emperor Kammu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Emperor_Kammu/) in [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/).
- **c. 793 CE - 864 CE**: Life of [Ennin](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ennin/), the [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) scholar-monk and abbot of [Enryakuji](https://www.worldhistory.org/Enryakuji/), who brought many esoteric teachings from [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/) to [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/).n
- **794 CE**: [Emperor Kammu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Emperor_Kammu/) moves the Japanese capital to [Heiankyo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heiankyo/) (Kyoto).
- **794 CE**: [Emperor Kammu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Emperor_Kammu/) builds the [Shinto](https://www.worldhistory.org/Shinto/) Herano shrine at [Heiankyo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heiankyo/) (Kyoto).
- **794 CE - 1185 CE**: The [Heian Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heian_Period/) in [ancient Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ancient_Japan/).
- **826 CE**: A five-storey pagoda is added to the [To-ji](https://www.worldhistory.org/To-ji/) [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) complex in [Heiankyo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heiankyo/) (Kyoto).
- **838 CE**: Last Japanese embassy to [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/) during the [Heian Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heian_Period/).
- **845 CE - 903 CE**: Life of the deified scholar and court official Sugawara no Michizane, aka [Tenjin](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenjin/).
- **849 CE**: [Ennin](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ennin/) leads the first imperial-sponsored esoteric ritual at [Enryakuji](https://www.worldhistory.org/Enryakuji/), [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/).
- **854 CE**: [Ennin](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ennin/) becomes the abbot of [Enryakuji](https://www.worldhistory.org/Enryakuji/), [Heiankyo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heiankyo/) (Kyoto), [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/).
- **859 CE**: The Iwashimizu shrine is built and dedicated to the [Shinto](https://www.worldhistory.org/Shinto/) [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Hachiman](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hachiman/) in [Heiankyo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heiankyo/) (Kyoto).
- **866 CE**: [Fujiwara](https://www.worldhistory.org/Fujiwara_Clan/) no Yoshifusa becomes the first Japanese regent not of royal blood.
- **874 CE**: The [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) [Daigoji](https://www.worldhistory.org/Daigoji/) [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) is founded by Shobo at [Heiankyo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heiankyo/) (Kyoto).
- **887 CE - 897 CE**: Reign of [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/)'s Emperor Uda
- **897 CE - 930 CE**: Reign of [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/)'s Emperor Daigo.
- **899 CE**: Sugawara no Michizane ([Tenjin](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenjin/)) is made Minister of the Right. The [Fujiwara](https://www.worldhistory.org/Fujiwara_Clan/) leader Tokihira is made Minister of the Left.
- **901 CE**: Sugawara no Michizane ([Tenjin](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenjin/)) is exiled to Dazaifu, Kyushu.
- **905 CE**: The Kokinshu anthology of Japanese poetry is compiled.
- **905 CE**: The Kokinshu anthology of poems is compiled in [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/) by Ki no Tsurayuki.
- **c. 951 CE**: The five-storey pagoda is built at [Daigoji](https://www.worldhistory.org/Daigoji/), [Heiankyo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heiankyo/) (Kyoto).
- **987 CE**: Sugawara no Michizane is officially deified and given the title [Tenjin](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tenjin/).
- **995 CE**: [Fujiwara](https://www.worldhistory.org/Fujiwara_Clan/) no Michinaga becomes the [Fujiwara clan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Fujiwara_Clan/) leader in [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/).
- **c. 1002 CE**: Sei Shonagon completes [The Pillow Book](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Pillow_Book/), a Japanese classic describing court life during the [Heian Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heian_Period/).
- **c. 1004 CE**: Japanese poet [Izumi Shikibu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Izumi_Shikibu/) writes her 'Izumi Shikibu Diary'.
- **c. 1020 CE**: The [Tale of Genji](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tale_of_Genji/) is completed by Murasaki Shikibu in [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/).
- **1052 CE**: The [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) site [Byodo-in](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byodo-in/) is founded in [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/) by [Fujiwara](https://www.worldhistory.org/Fujiwara_Clan/) no Yorimichi.
- **1073 CE - 1087 CE**: Reign of Emperor Shirakawa in [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/).
- **1073 CE - 1087 CE**: Reign of [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/)'s Emperor Shirakawa.
- **1115 CE**: The [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) [Daigoji](https://www.worldhistory.org/Daigoji/) [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) complex at [Heiankyo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heiankyo/) (Kyoto) is significantly expanded.
- **1156 CE**: Hogen Disturbance in [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/).
- **1160 CE**: Heiji Disturbance in [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/).
- **1164 CE**: The [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) [Sanjusangendo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sanjusangendo/) [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) is founded at [Heiankyo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heiankyo/) (Kyoto), [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/).
- **1180 CE**: Taira forces defeat an army led by Minamoto no Yorimasa.
- **1180 CE - 1185 CE**: The [Genpei War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Genpei_War/) in [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/) between the Taira and Minamoto clans.
- **1181 CE**: Taira forces defeat an army led by Minamoto no Yukie.
- **1183 CE**: Japanese emperor Go-Shirakawa officially recognises the authority of Minamoto no Yoritomo in the Kanto region.
- **1183 CE**: Kiso Yoshinaka defeats a large Taira army at Kurikara in Etchu and occupies the Japanese capital [Heiankyo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heiankyo/) (Kyoto).
- **1183 CE - 1198 CE**: Reign of [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/)'s Emperor Go-Toba.
- **1185 CE**: [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Dannoura where the Minamoto defeat the rival Taira. The young emperor Antoku drowns.

## External Links

- [Heian Period (794–1185) | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/heia/hd_heia.htm)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Cartwright, M. (2017, May 05). Heian Period. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Heian\_Period/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heian_Period/)
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Heian Period." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 05, 2017. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Heian\_Period/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heian_Period/).
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Heian Period." *World History Encyclopedia*, 05 May 2017, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Heian\_Period/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Heian_Period/).

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 05 May 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.