DYNASTIES/CIVILIZATIONS 

During the Heian period, Prince Shotoku ruled. In the 700s the Imperial Court moved the capital from Nara to Heian (which is current day Kyoto). The government was relatively strong under Prince Shotoku's rule. The Fujiwara family also helped power Japan during this time. During the Heian time, Buddhism spread around Japan, but they still kept Shinto beliefs. The Japanese were under the influence of Chinese culture and ideas. The Prince had his people study Chinese ways of life and the culture, such as; writing, cooking, gardening, drinking tea, and hair dressing. Diaries, essays, and novels were written by the women. Noble birth still remained most important to earn a high position. Agriculture was also a big part of the Heian. Large landowners living away from the capital had secret armies, which caused the countryside to become more dangerous. Other farmers and small landowners traded parts of their land in exchange for protection. As the rulers gained more land, they also gained more power. This marked the beginning of a feudal system of localized rule. Then came Samurai warriors (which were basically like bodyguards). In the Heian dynasty, dying an honorable death was more important than living a long life. By the 11th century, power of the central government and Fujiwara family began to fade.