q21｜平安時代：貴族と庶民（q15準拠）

The Heian period, which lasted from 794 to 1185, was a time when Kyoto, then called Heian-kyo, flourished as the political and cultural center of Japan. The court was dominated by aristocrats, especially the Fujiwara family, who effectively controlled politics through regency. Nobles lived in splendid residences known as shinden-zukuri, where they composed poetry, enjoyed elegant pastimes such as kemari or music, and governed the country—though their official duties often ended ( ) noon.

In sharp contrast, commoners made up the vast majority of the population. They lived in humble pit dwellings or narrow row houses with roofs of thatch or bark. Their daily lives were filled with agricultural labor, from planting rice to collecting firewood, and they worked from sunrise until sunset. Unlike nobles, who could devote time to art and politics, commoners struggled merely to survive in a world where famine and disease were constant threats.

The gap was also visible in diet. Nobles usually ate white rice and an abundance of side dishes, including fish, poultry, vegetables, and fruits. Their meals were often accompanied by alcohol during large banquets, which displayed both wealth and refinement. In contrast, commoners had to rely mainly on millet, foxtail millet, or other coarse grains, with simple vegetables such as radishes or taro. Meat and sweet foods were considered luxuries that were rarely within their reach.

Clothing further demonstrated the differences between the two groups. Noblemen wore formal robes called sokutai, and noblewomen wore the famous jūnihitoe, a multilayered garment that symbolized elegance and high rank. Cosmetics were also important among aristocrats, who painted their faces with white powder and blackened their teeth. Commoners, however, dressed in rough hemp or cotton clothing, plain in color and design. They had no access to cosmetics, and sunburned skin was a natural part of their appearance.

Even education, medicine, and funerary customs reflected social status. Aristocrats studied Chinese classics and Japanese poetry, which were considered essential for serving at court. Literacy among commoners was rare, being limited mostly to monks or merchants. When nobles fell ill, they often relied on prayers and rituals to ward off evil spirits, while commoners turned to herbal remedies. After death, nobles were usually cremated and their remains placed in temples, whereas commoners were buried directly in the earth, often without formal graveyards.