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The islands of Japan are said to have been one of the oldest seats of civilization. In fact the islands of Japan are believed to have seen its first human settlements as early as 10000 years ago. However proper documented history suggests that Kyoto was first settled in the 7th century by the Korean clan Hata. Kyoto grew in importance and power when the Japanese Imperial family made the city their home. Earlier known as Heian-kyo (meaning capital of peace and tranquility) the city was one of earliest examples of urban planning. In this era the city witnessed the growth of many important architectural, literary, religious and cultural landmarks. The world’s first novel “The Tale of Genji” by Murasaki Shikibu, the Tendai and Shingon sects of Buddhism, the famous Heian shrine, all owe their inception to this charming city. The Kamakura, Muromachi and Momoyama periods within the years 1185 and 1598 saw cultural growth as well as widespread destruction. Growth of Buddhist sects of Zen, Jodo, Jodo Shin and Nichiren and two major Mongol invasions took place in this era. Famous temples of Kyoto like Kenninji, Nanzenji, Myoshinji, Daitokuji and Chion-in were built in this period. The Muromachi Period further enriched the city in culturally and aesthetically. The famous ikebana flower arrangements, Noh drama, tea ceremony, the art of landscaping gardens all started in this period. The ornate Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) and its more subtle counterpart the Silver Pavilion too were built in this era. The lavish and ornate Nijo castle was built by Ieyasu near the end of the Momoyama Period. In the 1600s or the Edo Period political power was slowly transferred to the city of Edo later renamed Tokyo. However the shift in aristocratic attention did not diminish the cultural growth of Kyoto. In fact this period saw the growth of the artisans and artists due to the patronage of the merchant class. Architecture, ceramics, confectionery, cuisine, doll-making, gardening, geisha, incense, kabuki, kimono-weaving, lacquer ware, paper-making, sake-brewing, tea ceremony and wood-block printing were the various arts that prospered during this period. However, a substantial part of this wooden city was devastated due to a terrible fire. Edo (now Tokyo) was formally reassigned as the capital in 1868, but Kyoto did not miss the bus of modernization and industrialization that swept the country, as is obvious because of the presence of the many Meiji-era buildings and monuments. Fortunately, Kyoto was spared the bombings of World War II. Kyoto’s ancient temples, gardens, inns and palaces continue to enrapture the traveler looking for the aesthetic feast for the senses that Japan and Kyoto promise to be.
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