The period got its name from the capital of Japan at the time, Heian-kyo. Heian means "peace" or "tranquility" in Japanese. It was the peak of aristocratic culture and gave rise to unique Japanese art. This included paintings, poetry, and literature that weren't based on China anymore. People became obsessed with their looks. These is the period of time with the faces covered in white makeup. not only did the arts advance so did the military. It was throughout the Heian period that samurais gained power. The Fujiwara nobility had most of the power, and they needed elite warriors to protect them. The Heian period was known as a time of Japan separating itself from China. They added need government positions so it wasn't the same as China's. They developed their own writing, and created new Buddhist sects.
Not everything in this time was good. In a period of dropping food supplies, the government allowed private land owners to grow rice for sale. Before this the government controlled all commercial rice growth, and would move where it was being produced each year. Now private estates were taking the profits and the government lost money. Eventually it lead to the farm owners gaining power and the government losing it.
To learn more visit www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Heian_Period
Not everything in this time was good. In a period of dropping food supplies, the government allowed private land owners to grow rice for sale. Before this the government controlled all commercial rice growth, and would move where it was being produced each year. Now private estates were taking the profits and the government lost money. Eventually it lead to the farm owners gaining power and the government losing it.
To learn more visit www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Heian_Period