Heian-kyō and Heian Period

Heian-kyō (平安京, literally "tranquility and peace capital"), was one of several former names for the city now known as Kyoto.

It was the capital of Japan for over one thousand years, from 794 to 1868 with an interruption in 1180.

Emperor Kammu established it as the capital in 794, moving the Imperial Court there from nearby Nagaoka-kyō at the recommendation of his advisor Wake no Kiyomaro and marking the beginning of the Heian period of Japanese history.^[1]

The Heian period (平安時代 Heian jidai^?) is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185.^[1] The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto.

It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height.

The Heian period is also considered the peak of the Japanese imperial court and noted for its art, especially poetry and literature. Although the Imperial House of Japan had power on the surface, the real power was in the hands of the Fujiwara clan, a powerful aristocratic family who had intermarried with the imperial family. Many emperors actually had mothers from the Fujiwara family.^[2]

The Heian period was preceded by the Nara period.