-
Throughout the Heian period, the power of the court grew but the emperor's control over the expanding territory didnt keep up. As the distance from the capital grew, the influence of the emperor and the court dimished. Emperors found they were increasingly dependent on powerful nobles, known as daimyo, to maintain their power. The daimyo, who usually controlled landholdings in the country areas away from the capital, employed largenumbers of warriors or samurai, to help maintain their control.
-
n 794 the Emperor Kammu moved the imperial capital from Nara to Heian-kyo, now known as Kyoto. This signified the beginning of the heian period (794–1185CE). During this time, many of the foundations of Japan’s development were laid. Japanese society broke away from the strong influences of, and connections with china. Japanese art and culture began to flourish.
-
Emperor Kammu bestowed the title of seii taishogun on the commander
in chief of the military forces and gave him a great deal of power. This title was later shortened to shogun Eventually the members of the military gradually became more powerful than the court officials and took over the government. Japan’s Emperor remained, but he was viewed only as a figurehead with no real power, though he was afforded protection.