Changes

==History==

==History==

The history of Japan during the Heian Period is usually divided into three sections.  First, the rise of the Fujiwara in the [[Fujiwara Period]], followed by the consolidation of power within the hands of the retired emperors, known as ''Insei''.  Finally, the loss of political power by the nobility to the new warrior elite, embodied by the [[Taira clan|Taira]] and [[Minamoto clan|Minamoto]] clans.

The history of Japan during the Heian Period is usually divided into three sections.  First, the rise of the Fujiwara in the [[Fujiwara Period]], followed by the consolidation of power within the hands of the retired emperors, known as ''Insei''.  Finally, the loss of political power by the nobility to the new warrior elite, embodied by the [[Taira clan|Taira]] and [[Minamoto clan|Minamoto]] clans.

===Fujiwara Regency===

===Fujiwara Regency===

The Japanese government in the [[Nara Period]] had been built upon the ideals of the Chinese meritocracy during the Tang dynasty.  However, political power soon came to rest in the hands of powerful families and religious institutions, much as it had under the ''[[kabane]]'' system.  These "Gates of Power" (''kemmon'') controlled promotions in the new system.  One of the most powerful families was the Fujiwara, which rose to take on the extra-codal powers of the regents (''[[sessho|sesshô]]'' and ''[[kampaku]]''), as more and more emperors were installed at a young age and abdicated early.  At the height of their power, other families often lamented their inability to obtain any high-ranking posts in the government without Fujiwara sponsorship.  The power of the Fujiwara regents was eventually superceded by the power of the [[Retired Emperor]]s, whose households formed the core of ''insei'' government.  Even then, however, the Fujiwara family continued to exert significant influence as they had successfully managed to marry into the imperial line, and would continue to exert influence due to their familial ties for many years to come.

The Japanese government in the [[Nara Period]] had been built upon the ideals of the Chinese meritocracy during the Tang dynasty.  However, political power soon came to rest in the hands of powerful families and religious institutions, much as it had under the ''[[kabane]]'' system.  These "Gates of Power" (''kemmon'') controlled promotions in the new system.  One of the most powerful families was the Fujiwara, which rose to take on the extra-codal powers of the regents (''[[sessho|sesshô]]'' and ''[[kampaku]]''), as more and more emperors were installed at a young age and abdicated early.  At the height of their power, other families often lamented their inability to obtain any high-ranking posts in the government without Fujiwara sponsorship.  The power of the Fujiwara regents was eventually superceded by the power of the [[Retired Emperor]]s, whose households formed the core of ''insei'' government.  Even then, however, the Fujiwara family continued to exert significant influence as they had successfully managed to marry into the imperial line, and would continue to exert influence due to their familial ties for many years to come.

===Hôgen and Heiji Disturbances===

===Hôgen and Heiji Disturbances===

===Gempei Wars===

===Gempei Wars===