2.5 Late Heian or Fujiwara Era to 1068
Japanese aristocratic society was at the height of its power, sophistication, and influence during the Late Heian Period or Fujiwara Era. The central government was inefficient and ineffective. However, there were no external military threats and there was no strong provincial leader who could start a rebellion. Furthermore, the shōen system, that was sapping the resources of the government, was working quite well for those who profited from it. Thus, the central government remained in power.
There were four major groups who held power: the emperor and the imperial family, the aristocracy (especially the Fujiwara), organized religion (especially the Buddhist sects), and the heads of provincial warrior groups.
The aristocracy worked in governmental and political positions. Aristocratic society was obsessed with rank and status. Rank determined wealth and social opportunities. It entered every aspect of life – the type of clothing worn, the type of carriage, the location and size of one’s residence, and even the type of fans one used. Naturally, it also influenced interaction between people and one’s rank was quickly noted upon meeting with another.
The aristocrat of the Fujiwara Era typically had great sensitivity to esthetics. One’s handwriting was important; aristocrats communicated by short poems. They blackened their teeth, whitened their faces, shaved their eyebrows and painted on eyebrows in the middle of the forehead, and wore multiple layers of clothing in which the proper colored sleeves were most important. Women’s hair reached the floor.
The shōen system was working well for the landlords and governors. The local authorities who were enriching themselves had no desire to change anything and, for the time being, were content with the aristocratic connection. Since a court sponsor was essential to getting an estate, aristocrats profited very handsomely for doing very little.
By the Fujiwara Era, Japanese onmyōdō became the guiding force in decision making. Onmyōdō (the Way of Yin and Yang) blended elements from Daoism, magic, feng shui, Shinto, esoteric Buddhism, and astrology. In the ritsuryō system, there was the Bureau of Onmyō. Professional practitioners were called onmyōji. Onmyōdō dealt in astronomy, calendar-making, the reckoning of time, divination and studies based on observing nature. Onmyōdō spread to the commoners, especially onryō – the belief that angry spirits appear after an unhappy death by a well-born person. This culminated in the uproar caused by the belief that Michizane’s vengeful spirit had been the cause of natural disasters. The famous onmyōji include Kamo no Tadayuki and his son and his pupil, Abe no Seimei (921- 1005). It was believed Seimei had mystical powers because of his predictions and his long healthy life. (The Seimei Shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to him.)
The Late Heian Era is known as the Fujiwara Era, because the Fujiwara family reached its peak of influence during 967 to 1068. The most powerful of all the Fujiwara was Fujiwara no Michinaga (966 – 1028) who ruled Japan from 995 to 1027. His daughters became empresses and consorts to emperors; his sons became regents for several emperors. Those from lesser women were placed very highly. Altogether Fujiwara no Michinaga made himself grandfather to two rulers and father-in-law to three. His son served as regent for three. He pressured Sanjō into retirement in 1016. Later he pressured Crown Prince Atsuakira into relinquishing his title so that one of his heirs could be the crown prince. He was an adherent of the Jodo or Pure Land Sect. He built an Amida Hall. Michinaga’s son, Fujiwara no Yorimichi (992 – 1074) followed his father’s footsteps becoming kampaku from 1020 until 1068 acting as regent to three emperors.
The Fujiwara Era is known for the heights that aristocratic culture achieved particularly leaving a long-lasting legacy in literature. Michinaga, after installing his daughter Shōshi as empress, made sure that her retinue had good women to help her. Two of the women were the famous authors, Sei Shonagon and Murasaki Shikibu. Sei Shonagon is the author of The Pillow Book. Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari), which is a novel of court intrigue, life, and manners exemplifying masculine perfection in physical appearance and behavior.
During that time, a new development took place in Buddhism. According to the Buddhist teachings, the year 1052 began the age of mappō, the degenerate last days of Buddhist law and, indeed, the time coincided with the beginnings of great political turmoil.