Word
heian
Phoneticsheian
/ˈheɪɑn/
Definition
adj. relating to a famous period in Japanese history from the year 794 to 1185. It is known for its beautiful art, poetry, and the life of the royal court.
adj. relating to the period of Japanese history between 794 and 1185 AD, characterized by the peak of the imperial court and the flowering of classical Japanese culture.
Examples
“Heian art is famous for its elegant style.”
“The novel provides a detailed look at the complex social rules of the Heian court in ancient Kyoto.”
“Scholars often contrast the refined aesthetic sensibilities of the Heian era with the more martial culture that emerged during the subsequent shogunate periods.”
Examples
simple
“Heian art is famous for its elegant style.”
contextual
“The novel provides a detailed look at the complex social rules of the Heian court in ancient Kyoto.”
complex
“Scholars often contrast the refined aesthetic sensibilities of the Heian era with the more martial culture that emerged during the subsequent shogunate periods.”
Usage
Typically used as a proper adjective to describe historical periods, literature, or art styles.
Etymology
From Japanese 'Heian-kyō', the original name for the city of Kyoto. The name literally translates to 'tranquillity and peace capital', marking the move of the imperial seat to a new location.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/heian