Heian

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A historical period in Japanese history characterized by art, culture, and literature flourishment from 794 to 1185
2. An era marked by the development of distinctive Japanese aesthetics, notably in poetry and visual arts, centered around the capital Kyoto
3. A time of relative peace and political stability in Japan that led to significant advancements in intellectual and cultural pursuits

Etymology: Heian is the Japanese reading of two characters: 平, meaning "peace," and 安, meaning "tranquility" or "security." Together they formed "Heian-kyō," the "capital of peace and tranquility," which the imperial court gave to the city now known as Kyoto. The era takes its name from that city rather than from a single event or ruler. Because the court stayed there for centuries, it became the center of a refined culture in which nobles wrote poetry, kept diaries, and produced some of the earliest prose fiction. The Tale of Genji, often called the world's first novel, was written by Murasaki Shikibu in this setting. Court life also shaped painting, calligraphy, and the decorative arts, which moved away from Chinese models toward styles now regarded as distinctly Japanese.

Synonyms: peace, calm, tranquility

Antonyms: chaos, war, turmoil