The document summarizes life during Japan's Heian period (794-1185 CE). It describes how the emperor moved the capital to Heian-kyo (Kyoto) in 794, marking the start of the Heian period, also known as Japan's Golden Age when culture flourished. Society placed great importance on beauty, elegance, manners, and had a strict social hierarchy determined by family rank. The period was characterized by advances in art, literature, music, and drama as well as emphasis on fashion, appearance, and prizing pale skin and blackened teeth among women.

1. Heian-kyo: The Heart of
Japan’s Golden Age

2. A New Capital
• In 794 the emperor of Japan moved
to a new capital called Heian-kyo.
• This started the period called the
Heian-kyo period that lasted until
1185.
• This is also called the Golden Age
because Japanese culture flourished.

3. GOLDEN AGE
• Beauty, elegance,
and correct
manners important
• New art and
literature
• New sculptures,
art, music, and
drama

4. Social Position in the Heian
Court• The Heian period
had different social
ranks
–Where you were
ranked
depended on the
family you came
from.
–Nine main ranks
made up the
social system

5. What does your rank say about
you?
• Rank determined the number of
servants you could have.
• People of different ranks had a
certain number of folds in their fans!
• Noble people wore fancy robes,
certain colors
• Punishments for crimes were worse if
you were of a lower rank!

6. Beauty and Fashion During the Heian
Period
• Society prized beauty, elegance and fashion.
• Men and women spent a lot of time on their
appearances
– Men had pointed beards
– Women had long hair
• Japanese believed white teeth to be ugly! They
even dyed their teeth black.

7. Women in Japan
• They wore a lot of
makeup
– Used white powder
to look pale and
lipstick
– An aristocratic
women even wore
12 silk robes at a
time!
– Women would pluck
eyebrows and then
paint them high on
their foreheads!

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