The Heian period in Japan lasted from 794 CE to 1185 CE. The capital city was Heian, known today as Kyoto. This period is known for its rich court culture and artistic life.

Members of the court wrote poetry, diaries, and stories. One famous work from this time is The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu. Writing systems such as kana developed, allowing people to write in Japanese more easily.

Power was often held by aristocratic families rather than the emperor directly. The Heian period is studied through literature, art, and historical records.