The Heian Period was a time in Japanese history that lasted from 794 to 1185 CE. It was characterized by a flourishing of art, literature, and culture, as well as the development of a distinctive court culture centered in the capital city of Kyoto.
During the Heian Period, the Fujiwara clan held significant political power as regents for the emperor. Samurai did not yet exist as a distinct social class, but there were warriors who served as guards for the aristocracy. The period also saw the development of waka poetry, which was highly valued by the court.
The Tale of Genji, written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu, is a masterpiece of Heian literature and one of the world's earliest novels. Kabuki theater did not emerge until the Edo Period, which followed the Heian Period.
The period also saw the spread of Buddhism and the decline of the influence of Christianity, which had been introduced to Japan by European missionaries in the 16th century. Hideyoshi's campaigns took place during the late 16th century, long after the Heian Period, and Bakufu refers to the military government established by the Tokugawa clan in the 17th century.