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Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto, Japan
Kinkakuji Temple or the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" was constructed in the 1390s CE as the retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (r. 1368–1394 CE). It is comprised of a three-story pavilion — covered in luxurious gold...
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Shogun
The shoguns of medieval Japan were military dictators who ruled the country via a feudal system where a vassal's military service and loyalty was given in return for a lord's patronage. Established as an institution by the first shogun proper...
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Medieval Japan
The medieval period of Japan is considered by most historians to stretch from 1185 to 1603 CE. Stand out features of the period include the replacement of the aristocracy by the samurai class as the most powerful social group, the establishment...
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Heian Period
The Heian Period of Japanese history covers 794 to 1185 CE and saw a great flourishing in Japanese culture from literature to paintings. Government and its administration came to be dominated by the Fujiwara clan who eventually were challenged...
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Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle, located in Kyoto, Japan, was first built in 1603 CE by Tokugawa Ieyasu (r. 1603-1605 CE), founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1868 CE). The castle complex is surrounded by a double moat and made up of three distinct areas...
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Emperor Kammu
Emperor Kammu (aka Kanmu) reigned in ancient Japan from 781 to 806 CE and is most noted for relocating the capital to Heiankyo (Kyoto) in 794 CE. Kammu was one of the most powerful emperors Japan had seen or would ever see, and his reign...
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Sengoku Period
The Sengoku Period (Sengoku Jidai, 1467-1568 CE), also known as the Warring States Period, was a turbulent and violent period of Japanese history when rival warlords or daimyo fought bitterly for control of Japan. The period falls within...
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Byodo-in
Byodo-in is a Buddhist temple complex at Uji, south of Kyoto, which was founded in 1052 CE by the important court official and regent Fujiwara no Yorimichi. The large Phoenix Hall is one of the finest surviving examples of architecture from...
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Pagoda at Kiyomizu-dera Temple
The Kiyomizu-dera Temple ("Kiyomizudera" in Japanese) is known throughout Japan for its lovely panorama of the city of Kyoto. Founded in 778 CE and rebuilt in 1633 CE, the temple is situated on Mt. Otowa in Kyoto, Japan.
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Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji
The Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji temple, Kyoto, Japan. The top two stories are gilded with gold leaf both outside and inside. Founded in 1397 CE, the Buddhist temple was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1955 CE.