Changes

Emperor Kammu selected the site for his capital in 794 AD. The new city was laid out as a checkerboard, with north-south and east-west axes. The imperial palace was built at the northern end of the central axis. It was modelled after Ch'ang-an, the capital of the T'ang dynasty in China, which was well-known to Japanese diplomats. Kyoto gradually expanded east across and beyond the Kamo River (which now flows through its center) to the foot of the eastern hills. Emperor Kammu named the city "Heian-kyo," ("Capital of Peace and Tranquility"); people called it simply Miyako or Kyoto, both meaning "capital."

Emperor Kammu selected the site for his capital in 794 AD. The new city was laid out as a checkerboard, with north-south and east-west axes. The imperial palace was built at the northern end of the central axis. It was modelled after Ch'ang-an, the capital of the T'ang dynasty in China, which was well-known to Japanese diplomats. Kyoto gradually expanded east across and beyond the Kamo River (which now flows through its center) to the foot of the eastern hills. Emperor Kammu named the city "Heian-kyo," ("Capital of Peace and Tranquility"); people called it simply Miyako or Kyoto, both meaning "capital."

The imperial coourt remained in Kyoto until 1869. Its heyday was the era of the cultivated, aesthetic [[Heian]] court, which was at its height in the 11th century. From 1192 to 1333 Japan was controlled by shoguns, or hereditary military dictators, who ruled from Kamakura in the east. The shogun then moved to Kyoto, while the powerless emperor also was in residence. Kyoto was badly samaged in multiple civil wars of "era of warring states" (1467-1590), notably by the Onin War of 1467-1477, so that by 1500 the authority of both court and shogunate was at a low ebb.  People attached to the residences of the court aristocracy or formerly employed by shrines or Buddhist temples, craftsmen, and ordinary commoners joined together in social organizations and created for themselves places to trade and work in specific urban areas. In these districts social, professional, and structural urban elements merged together. The "tsuchi ikki" was a 1428 revolt in the Kyoto area against landlords by peasants demanding, among other things, an annulment of debts and possession of common land for villages.  

The imperial coourt remained in Kyoto until 1869. Its heyday was the era of the cultivated, aesthetic [[Heian]] court, which was at its height in the 11th century. From 1192 to 1333 Japan was controlled by shoguns, or hereditary military dictators, who ruled from Kamakura in the east. The shogun then moved to Kyoto, while the powerless emperor also was in residence. Kyoto was badly samaged in multiple civil wars of "era of warring states" (1467-1590), notably by the Onin War of 1467-1477, so that by 1500 the authority of both court and shogunate was at a low ebb.  People attached to the residences of the court aristocracy or formerly employed by shrines or Buddhist temples, craftsmen, and ordinary commoners joined together in social organizations and created for themselves places to trade and work in specific urban areas. In these districts social, professional, and structural urban elements merged. The "tsuchi ikki" was a 1428 revolt in the Kyoto area against landlords by peasants demanding, among other things, an annulment of debts and possession of common land for villages.  

After 1560 a series of powerful shoguns revitalized the shogunate and the city, notably Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. They reunified Japan, and restored their capital to its former glory. They and members of the Imperial court erected many strikingly beautiful buildings, including Nijo Castle; the Katsura Imperial Villa and its famed landscape gardens;  Golden Pavilion (reconstructed in 1955 after a fire); the Silver Pavilion (1479), with its sand garden; the stone garden of Ryoanji temple; Daitokuji temple, with priceless paintings; Chion-in temple with its massive two-storied gate and huge bell; and Kiyomizudera temple, clinging to the edge of a cliff.  

After 1560 a series of powerful shoguns revitalized the shogunate and the city, notably Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. They reunified Japan, and restored their capital to its former glory. They and members of the Imperial court erected many strikingly beautiful buildings, including Nijo Castle; the Katsura Imperial Villa and its famed landscape gardens;  Golden Pavilion (reconstructed in 1955 after a fire); the Silver Pavilion (1479), with its sand garden; the stone garden of Ryoanji temple; Daitokuji temple, with priceless paintings; Chion-in temple with its massive two-storied gate and huge bell; and Kiyomizudera temple, clinging to the edge of a cliff.  

==Important places==

==Important places==

[[Image:Kyoto Celebrates a 1000 Year Love Affair.jpg|thumb|A purification ceremony with period costumes at the Jonengu shrine.]]

[[Image:Kyoto Celebrates a 1000 Year Love Affair.jpg|thumb|A purification ceremony with period costumes at the Jonengu shrine.]]

*Kiomizudera, a famouse 40-foot platform  

*Kiomizudera, a famous 40-foot platform  

*Ryuan-Ji, the Temple of the famous rock garden

*Ryuan-Ji, the Temple of the famous rock garden

*Kinkaku-Ji the temple of Gold

*Kinkaku-Ji the temple of Gold