Heian Japan

State · 793–1187 CE · at its largest around 1094 CE

Japan's Heian period, named for the capital Heian-kyo (Kyoto). Court culture flourished under the Fujiwara regents, producing works like The Tale of Genji.

On its lands while it lasted

Kyoto (Heian-kyo) (794 CE): Emperor Kanmu moved the capital to Heian-kyo, which remained Japan's imperial capital until 1868.
Kana (c. 900 CE): From simplified Chinese characters the Japanese developed the syllabic kana, hiragana and katakana; with kanji they still make up written Japanese.
Murasaki Shikibu (c. 973 CE – 1014 CE): Japanese novelist, poet and lady-in-waiting at the Heian court, author of The Tale of Genji, often called the world’s first novel, and of a diary of court life.
The Tale of Genji (c. 1008 CE): Murasaki Shikibu's narrative of court life in Heian Japan, often called the world's first novel.
Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147 CE – 1199 CE): Founder of the Kamakura shogunate, the first shogunate of Japan.
Choju-giga (c. 1150 CE): Handscrolls of frogs, hares and monkeys bathing, wrestling and holding mock Buddhist services, kept at Kozan-ji in Kyoto. Their lively brush drawings are often called the first Japanese manga.
Genpei War (1180–1185 CE): Civil war between the Taira and Minamoto clans, ending in Minamoto victory.