Abstract
This chapter examines the imperial court society and the role the code of miyabi (courtly refinement) played in aristocratic society as part of the civilising process in Japan. Unlike the warrior court, which centres on a warrior lifestyle for its members, the imperial court created a distinct organisation that concentrated on a civil lifestyle focused on the pursuit of aristocratic art and literature. To study the imperial court, the main emphasis is placed on the imperial court society from the Heian period (794–1185) because this period is known as the ‘age of the court’, which produced major influences on the habitus of the civil aristocracy from clan leaders to aristocrats.
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Notes
- 1.
Some scholars propose that there were around 6000 to 10,000 people in the service of the imperial family (see, for example, Farris, 2009; Hall, 1974; Hérail, 2013; Stavros, 2014). This estimation, however, includes those without rank who held menial positions (e.g., servants, guards, messengers, and so on) in the imperial palace (see, further, McCullough, 1999a; Sansom, 1958; Schalow, 2007).
- 2.
This was an ancient ranking system that existed in the fifth century. Under this system, different clans were given an ancient noble title that distinguished their position and responsibilities in the hierarchy. When the Taika Reform occurred in 645, this system was abolished and replaced with a Chinese court hierarchy (see, for further discussion, Brown, 1993; Miller, 1974). Furthermore, this system played a significant role ordering the early stages of imperial state formation (see Chap. 15).
- 3.
According to the ritsuryō code, an aristocratic woman’s rank came from her father at birth. For instance, if her father is a civil aristocrat in the position of Junior Fourth Rank Lower Grade, she will hold that particular rank. However, upon marriage, she will automatically acquire her husband’s rank. Depending on her husband’s position, she can rise or fall in the imperial court hierarchy (see, further, McCullough, 1999a).
- 4.
The Council of State was responsible for overseeing the imperial government. As the highest government organisation, it was headed by three ministers: the Chancellor (Daijō-daijin), the Minister of the Left (Sadajin), and the Minister of the Right (Udaijin). Collectively, these three figures were the most influential people in the executive branch of the imperial government.
- 5.
The Eight Ministries was the government organisation responsible for the everyday administrative and military affairs of the country. These ministries were: Ministry of Central Affairs (Nakatsukasa-shō) responsible for the affairs of the emperor; Ministry of Civil Affairs (Shikibu-shō) responsible for drafting, promulgating, and maintaining policies and regulations; Ministry of Ceremonies (Jibu-shō) responsible for maintaining the civil service; Ministry of Popular Affairs (Minbu-shō) responsible for maintaining public works; Ministry of War (Hyōbu-shō) responsible for overseeing military matters; Ministry of Justice (Gyōbu-shō) responsible for administering law and punishment; Ministry of the Treasury (Ōkura-shō) responsible for the collection of taxes and maintaining state finances; and Ministry of the Imperial Household (Kunai-shō) responsible for supporting the imperial family. Within these ministries, they were further separated into different departments and bureaus that were accountable for various aspects of the complex imperial bureaucracy.
- 6.
This novel was written in the early eleventh century by Murasaki Shikibu (973–1014) who served as a lady-in-waiting in the court of Emperor Ichijō (980–1011). Separated into 52 chapters, it concentrates on the life of Prince Hikaru Genji in the imperial court. Despite being a fictional novel, she has captured in detail the lives of the civil aristocracy at its peak from apparent aspects, (e.g., their courtly activities) to less-obvious elements (e.g., their behaviours and emotions) (see, for an English translation, Seidensticker, 1976a, 1976b; Tyler, 2003; Waley, 1925). Furthermore, numerous scrolls and paintings have been produced that illustrated scenes from the novel found in various periods of Japanese history (see, for a discussion, Carpenter et al., 2019; McCormick, 2018; Murase, 2001). In addition, a contemporary summary of every chapter of the novel is available (see Puette, 1983).
- 7.
A comparison contest was a popular activity in the imperial court. The game involved the active comparison of animate (e.g., small animals, birds, and insects) and inanimate (e.g., shells, flowers, plants) objects for a prize. Generally, the game would require participants to be separated into two teams to present their objects. A judge would award points to the winner of each round until a clear victor was found.
- 8.
During the Heian period, it was a strict taboo for people not to cleanse themselves after being temporarily polluted. A common form of pollution was the encounter with a dead person. Other forms of pollution included seeing a dead body, giving birth, or menstruating. When people were temporarily polluted, they had to cleanse themselves spiritually by remaining at home.
- 9.
The celebration of death was a highly ritualised affair in the imperial court. Following Shintō and Buddhist religious practices, the ritual was prepared in advance with great pomp and ceremony.
- 10.
This important document was written by Fujiwara no Morosuke (909–960) who was the Minister of the Right in the imperial court of Emperor Murakami (924–967). Within this document, he set forth the rule of life for his descendants (see, further, Sansom, 1958).
- 11.
This diary was written by Izumi Shikibu, and it recounts her affair with Prince Atsumichi, which lasted for several months between 1003 and 1004. The content of her diary is written in a third-person view and filled with poetry (see, for an English translated version, Omori & Doi, 1920).
- 12.
This diary was written by Lady Sarashina (1008–?) who recorded her experiences from childhood in the provinces to adulthood travelling to the imperial capital city. What is remarkable about this diary is the vivid documentation of her struggles in life. Furthermore, her diary detailed the importance various plots and characters from The Tale of Genji played in her upbringing. Although she called it a work of fiction, she reflected on the life presented in the novel (see, for an English translated version, Arntzen & Itō, 2014; Morris, 1989; Omori & Doi, 1920).
- 13.
This book recorded the pleasant and unpleasant sights seen by Sei Shōnagon. During her time serving in the court of Empress Sadako (977–1001), she quietly observed the behaviours, emotions, and actions of those from various aristocratic backgrounds. Whether they were males or females, she wrote bluntly about what they did do correctly and what they did not do correctly in the imperial court. More importantly, her remarks became some sort of rules in the future that members of the civil aristocracy followed (see, for an English translated version, McKinney, 2006; Morris, 1971; Omori & Doi, 1920).
- 14.
This diary contains a fragmented collection of entries written by Murasaki Shikibu that details her time serving in the imperial court. Although fragmented, this diary presents an important insight into the courtly events and activities pursued by members of the civil aristocracy. Furthermore, it gives insight into the behaviours and emotions of civil aristocratic men and women at the time (see, for an English translated version, Bowring, 2005; Omori & Doi, 1920).
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Lau, W. (2022). Scenes of Life in the Imperial Court Society in Kyoto. In: On the Process of Civilisation in Japan. Palgrave Studies on Norbert Elias. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-11424-3_12
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