Section 1
The Golden Age of Heian-kyo
In 794, the imperial capital moved to Heian-kyo (modern Kyoto), marking the beginning of Japan’s "Golden Age." During this period, the emperor and his nobles lived a life of luxury and refinement, isolated from the common people. They focused entirely on the creation of beauty, engaging in poetry contests, calligraphy, and elaborate fashion.
Because the official Chinese script was considered "men's writing," noblewomen developed their own script called Kana. Using this script, Lady Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji, which is considered the world's first novel.This masterpiece provides a detailed look at the complex romances and political intrigues of the Heian court.