| '''Kyoto''' was the Imperial capital of Japan from [[794]] to [[1869]], though the archipelago was governed from elsewhere during the [[Kamakura shogunate|Kamakura]] (1185-1333) and [[Tokugawa shogunate]]s (1603-1868). It served as a major cultural and religious center throughout history, and continues to do so today, playing an important role economically as well during various periods. | | '''Kyoto''' was the Imperial capital of Japan from [[794]] to [[1869]], though the archipelago was governed from elsewhere during the [[Kamakura shogunate|Kamakura]] (1185-1333) and [[Tokugawa shogunate]]s (1603-1868). It served as a major cultural and religious center throughout history, and continues to do so today, playing an important role economically as well during various periods. |
− | Though commonly known as Kyoto today, the city was historically far more commonly called by other names. Established as Heian-kyô (i.e. the Heian capital), after which the [[Heian Period]] (794-1185) of history is named, the city was frequently called Miyako or Keishi, both of which can be translated as "capital city," through the [[Edo Period]]. It was also referred to as Rakuyô, in metaphorical comparison to the Chinese capital of [[Luoyang]], which is also called Rakuyô in Japanese.<ref>Rakuyô is simply the Japanese reading of the characters for Luoyang, 洛陽.</ref> This reference is seen, too, in the genre of paintings known as ''[[rakuchu rakugai|rakuchû rakugaizu]]'' (lit. "images inside & outside of Raku"). | + | Though commonly known as Kyoto today, and though some documents as old as [[988]] refer to the city in that way,<ref>Gallery labels, Kyoto Asny, Kyoto City Central Library.</ref> the city was historically far more commonly called by other names. Established as Heian-kyô (i.e. the Heian capital), after which the [[Heian Period]] (794-1185) of history is named, the city was frequently called Miyako or Keishi, both of which can be translated as "capital city," through the [[Edo Period]]. It was also referred to as Rakuyô, in metaphorical comparison to the Chinese capital of [[Luoyang]], which is also called Rakuyô in Japanese.<ref>Rakuyô is simply the Japanese reading of the characters for Luoyang, 洛陽.</ref> This reference is seen, too, in the genre of paintings known as ''[[rakuchu rakugai|rakuchû rakugaizu]]'' (lit. "images inside & outside of Raku"). |