Heian period: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Date	794 - 1185
Location	Japan

Photos

Gold and silver frontispiece on indigo paper depicts the Dragon King's daughter rising from an underwater palace to offer a jewel to the Buddha and seated attendants.

Katsukawa Shunshō: Murasaki Shikibu

Five-story square pagoda at Daigo Temple in Kyoto, Japan, with ornate wooden eaves and a tall spire, surrounded by trees and a person standing at the base.

Heian-period guardian deity mask

Phoenix Hall of Byōdōin Temple

Jōchō: Amida Myorai

Painting by Takanobu showing Yoritomo seated in formal black robes with a tall headpiece, against a muted background with Japanese script above.

Kobayashi Kiyochika: Minamoto Yoshitsune Leaping from Boat to Boat

Kusakabe Kimbei: Samurai in Armour

See All Images →

Topics

Fujiwara Family Fujiwara style

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic