The document summarizes key aspects of Japan's Heian period (794-1185), when Kyoto served as the imperial capital. It describes how Emperor Kanmu moved the capital to Heian-kyo to escape disasters in Nagaoka-kyo. The imperial palace in Kyoto was rebuilt several times after fires and served as the official residence of the imperial family until 1869. It also notes that Murasaki Shikibu's "The Tale of Genji" was the world's first novel and centered on life in the Heian court.

1. JAPAN’S GOLDEN AGE
Period when social position,
beauty, fashion and manners
were an important aspect of
the society. Also when archi-
tecture, literature, art and
poetry flourished.
The Kyoto Imperial palace was rebuilt in 1855 after a disastrous fire—a fairly common
occurrence in central Kyoto. Ten palaces have burned to the ground here over the past thou-
sand years. When the Emperor Meiji transferred Japan’s capital from Kyoto to Tokyo, a new
palace was built in Tokyo. Hence, this is the “Old” Imperial palace, built in the Heian style.
EMPEROR KANMU
He moved the capital to
Heian-kyo instead of Naga-
oka-kyo when a string of di-
sasters fell upon the latter.
KARAGINUMO
A Heian court lady formal
wear, translates to “twelve
unlined robes“. 12 robes was
the typical wear for nobility.
WORLD’S FIRST NOVEL
The Tale of Genji was written
by Murasaki Shikibu (c. 1020
CE), it centers on the life and
loves of a handsome prince
during the Heian Period CHINESE INFLUENCE
The city of Heian-kyo was
built on the model of the
Tang capital Chang’an
and followed the grid-pat-
tern of its road-plan.
GREATER PALACE
Has 3 mainspaces,theOfficial
Compound, Reception Com-
pound, and the Inner Palace.
INNER PALACE
Residential compound of
the Imperial family.
IMPERIAL PALACE
The replica of the pal-
ace at Heian (doesn’t
exist). This was the offi-
cial imperial family res-
idence until 1869 when
the capital of Japan was
moved from Kyoto to
Tokyo. The Palace is sur-
rounded by a huge gar-
den area.
SHISHINDEN
(Hall for State Ceremonies)
The building (picture above) was
constructed in the Heian Period
style to accommodate the En-
thronement Ceremony (left pic-
ture) which was held in traditional
manners. The Enthronement Cer-
emonies of emperors Meiji, Taishō,
and Shōwa were held in the pres-
ent hall and the octagonal Takami-
kura Imperial Throne (right picture)
for the Emperor and Michodai Au-
gust Seat of the Empress used for
the ceremony are located inside.
KARAHAFU
a type of gable roof with a style pe-
culiar only to Japan.
DOOR DECORS
Paintingsofcraneandtigeradornsthe
waiting rooms of Shodaibo-no-ma.
KYOTO, JAPAN
The capital of Japan for more than 1,000
years (794-1868), Kyōto (literally, “Capital
City”) has been called a variety of names
through the centuries—Heian-kyō (“Cap-
ital of Peace and Tranquillity”), Miyako
(“The Capital”), and Saikyō (“Western
Capital”). Kyoto is thought of as the heart
of Japan. For most of Japan’s
history, “Heian” was the center
not only of government
but of learning and
the arts.
JAPANESE
PERIODS
until 710
710-1192
1192-1333
1338-1573 1603-1868
1573-1603
1912-1945
1868-1912 since 1945
CASTANARES|ESTRELLA|ORBISO|SALVA