A History of Kyoto

Imperial Kyoto

Although the first recorded evidence of human habitation in Japan dates back to about 10,000 BC, the Kyoto basin was not settled until the 7th century. Kyoto became home to the Hata clan from Korea and in 603 the Hata established Koryu-ji as their family temple in what is now Kyoto's Uzumasa District. In 784 the Imperial government moved to Nagaoka, a suburb of Kyoto, and 10 years later shifted again to present-day Kyoto, where it remained until 1868.

The city was laid out according in the traditional Chinese manner in a grid pattern adopted from the Tang dynasty capital Chang'an, now Xi'an, in mainland China. Over the next four centuries the city went beyond its role as a political hub and became Japan's cultural and commercial center as well. Samurai families moved into Kyoto where they entered the court, causing conflicts between rival military clans, civil wars and strife. This was the beginning of the Shogun feudal system, where a succession of samurai families ruled the country until imperial power was restored in 1868.

Although Kyoto was home to the Japanese imperial family for almost 1100 years, it was not always the focus of Japanese political power. For about 150 years from 1185, Kamakura, near present-day Tokyo, was the political capital, and from 1600 to 1868 the Tokugawa Shogunate ruled Japan from Edo, now Tokyo. Despite the decline of the political power of the court, Kyoto continued to prosper economically. In the late 13th Century, the Mongols invaded, but were defeated with the help of a typhoon, called the kamakazi or divine wind, which destroyed their fleet. Victory, however, was short-lived for the Kamakura government, which fell to a rebellion led by Emperor Go-Daigo, leading to the restoration of political authority in Kyoto. The Ashikaga period was marked by flourishing arts and the construction of beautiful temples and gardens, many still standing today. Despite this cultural flowering, the rest of the country was slowly slipping into civil chaos as feudal lords and barons fought for territory. In 1467 a feudal argument ignited the most ferocious battle in Kyoto's history. The 90,000-strong Yamana army faced off against the 100,000 soldiers of the Hosokawa. The 10-year Onin war was fought mostly in the center of Kyoto, destroying most of the city and scattering the population. The war marked the rapid decline of the Ashikaga family, to be replaced by the chaotic Warring States period until 1568.