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Heian-kyō

 
Wikipedia: Heian-kyō
Daidairi (大内裏, palace in the center) and the panoramic view of Heian-kyō (restoration model)

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.

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.[1] Modelled after the Tang Dynasty Chinese capital of Chang'an (modern day Xi'an), it remained the chief political center until 1185, when the samurai Minamoto clan took power, establishing the Kamakura shogunate. This period from 794–1185 is known as the Heian period of Japanese history.

Though political power would be wielded by the samurai class over the course of three different shogunates, Heian remained the site of the Imperial Court and seat of Imperial power, and thus remained the official capital. In fact, even after the seat of Imperial power was moved to Tokyo in 1868, since there is no law which makes Tokyo the capital, there is a view that Kyoto legally or officially remains the capital even today.

Schematic diagram of Heian-kyō

Schematic diagram of Heian-kyō

Note that there are more paths cut short by residences straddling multiple blocks.

The gates of the Daidairi are marked in Japanese. The romanization of those gate names are as follows:

Gates
  • South side (east to west):
    • Bifuku-mon
    • Suzku-mon
    • Kōga-mon
  • West side (south to north):
    • Datten-mon
    • Sōheki-mon
    • Impu-mon
    • Jōsai-mon
  • North side (west to east):
    • Anka-mon
    • Ikan-mon
    • Tatchi-mon
  • East side (north to south):
    • Jōtō-mon
    • Yōmei-mon
    • Taiken-mon
    • Ikuhō-mon

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  • Mibu
  • Sujzaku-ōji
  • Kōgamon-ōji

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See also

References

  1. ^ Hall, John Whitney (1988). The Cambridge History of Japan. Cambridge University Press. pp. 516–17. ISBN 0521223571. 
Preceded by
Nagaoka-kyō
Capital of Japan
794–1180
Succeeded by
Fukuhara-kyō
Preceded by
Fukuhara-kyō
Capital of Japan
1180–1868
Succeeded by
Tokyo

Coordinates: 35°00′N 135°46′E / 35°N 135.767°E / 35; 135.767


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