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Japan
Heian-kyo: The Heart of Japan's Golden Age
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Heian period | the era in Japanese history from 794-1185 CE of great cultural growth |
golden age | a time in a culture of high achievements in arts, literature, and sciences; generally, occurs in times of peace; time of peace, prosperity & happiness |
Heian-kyo | new capital of Japan - “The capital of peace and tranquility”, which is called Kyoto in modern times; it was the first Japanese city that displayed true culture |
aristocrats | a noble whose wealth comes from the land he owns; someone from the ruling class, usually those with nobility, money (from land), or both |
Fujiwara | aristocrat family that dominated Japan during the Heian period; held important positions and married daughter to emperors |
Michinaga | most successful Fujiwara leader who led Japan from 995 to 1028 |
leisure | free time |
Phoenix Hall | a famous Buddhist temple built by Michinaga’ son in 1053; temple is shaped like a bird in flight; part of the temple still stands today as a reminder of Japan’s golden age |
hierarchy | system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority |
social position | a position of an individual in a given society and culture; social status |
conduct | A person’s behavior especially in front of others |
yoki | “good”; good looking; a person had to come from a important family; had to look nice, had to be sensitive to beauty in nature, poetry and art |
calligraphy | the art of beautiful handwriting |
sumo wrestling | Japanese form of heavyweight wrestling, in which a wrestler wins a bout by forcing his opponent outside a marked circle or by making him touch the ground with any part of his body except the soles of his feet |
courtier | a well-groomed member of a ruler’s court |
kemari | an athletic game that was popular in Japan during the Heian period in which players kicked a leather ball back and forth, keeping it in the air for as long as possible; players cannot use arms and hands, only knees, feet, head, and back |
rango | a game, the object was to balance as many stones as possible on one finger |
bugaku | traditional Japanese court dance combined with music and drama; similar to opera and ballet |
Jocho | an artist, who worked for Fujiwara Michinaga developed a sculpting technique in which blocks of wood were hollowed out, carved, and then assembled. Jocho made perhaps the greatest masterpiece of Heian sculpture- the Amida Buddha |
Amida Buddha | classic sculpture of Buddha made from 2 wooden parts put together |
yamato-e | a Japanese style of painting; painters drew their scenes with thin lines and then filled them in with bright colors |
scroll painting | a series of scenes from right to left that show viewers events chronologically as they unroll the scroll |
Lady Murasaki Shikibu | Japanese writer; author of The Tale of Genji, generally considered the greatest work of Japanese literature and thought to be the world's oldest full novel; she kept detailed records of Heian court life. Information about period comes from her diaries |
The Tale of Genji | story of a Prince named Genji and his long quest for love. During his search he meets women from many different social classes; One of Japan's greatest novels; written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu; the world’s first novel |
Pillow Book | by Sei Shonagon, collection of character sketches, conversations, descriptions of art and nature, lists, and stories |
Noh Theater | form of Japanese drama involving heroic themes, stories, a chorus, and dance |