Who Was When

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Heian period平安

East Asia & PacificHeartland today: Japan

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From the move of the capital to Kyoto in 794, a court led by the Fujiwara family produced the Tale of Genji and the Kokinshū, the first Japanese poetry anthology ordered by an emperor. Warrior clans rose in the provinces, and the Taira lost to the Minamoto at Dan-no-ura in 1185.

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Key events

  1. Emperor Kammu moves the capital to Heian-kyō, now Kyoto, after leaving Nara

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  2. – Saichō and Kūkai return from China and bring the Tendai and Shingon schools of Buddhism to Japan

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  3. Ki no Tsurayuki and other court poets compile the Kokinshū, the first poetry anthology ordered by an emperorDisputed

    Both sources give about 905 for the anthology's appearance. Wikipedia says its finished form dates to about 920.

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  4. – Taira no Masakado rebels in the Kantō, proclaims himself New Emperor and is killed in 940Disputed

    World History Encyclopedia dates the Kantō rebellion from 935 to 940. Wikipedia dates his feud with his uncle from 931, his revolt and claim to be New Emperor to late 939, and his death to 25 March 940.

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  5. – Fujiwara no Michinaga holds power at court from 995, and his grandsons become emperorsDisputed

    The World History Encyclopedia says Michinaga retired from active politics in 1019 and his son Yorimichi kept the family's influence. The span here runs to his death in 1028.

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  6. – Murasaki Shikibu, a lady at court, writes the Tale of Genji, often called the world's first novelDisputed

    Nippon.com says her diary shows her writing it in 1008. The World History Encyclopedia gives about 1020 for its completion, so the span here runs from 1008 to 1020.

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  7. – Fujiwara no Yorimichi founds the Byōdō-in temple on his father's estate at Uji, and its Phoenix Hall is completed the next year

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  8. – The Genpei War ends at the naval battle of Dan-no-ura, where the Minamoto defeat the Taira and the child emperor Antoku dies

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