Throughout human history, periods of peace have catalysed the flourishing of culture and creativity. Examples include the Renaissance, the Pax Romana, and the prosperity achieved in China during the Tang and Song Dynasties. As “Heian” (平安) means “Peace” in Japanese, it is not surprising that during the Heian period, Japan achieved many cultural, artistic, and literary developments. In this essay, I will explore some salient characteristics of the Heian period through a litera
