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End of the Shuryaku Reforms

Type Event Region Japan Time 997–1002

The Shuryaku Reforms, led by Fujiwara no Michinaga in mid-Heian, curtailed officialdom and reduced taxes (997–1002);…

Timeline

  1. 997–1001Heian-kyō and provinces of the Kinai · KinkiFujiwara no Michinaga carried out the Shuryaku administration, reforming officialdom, regulating shōen land surveys, restricting illegal land seizure by powerful families, and attempting to lighten farmers' zu-yong-diao burdens. The court repeatedly issued prohibitions and disciplined local officials.
  2. 1002Heian-kyō · KinkiRegent Fujiwara no Tadazane died in the 12th month of Chōhō 4 (1002), throwing court politics into turmoil. Though Michinaga remained a powerful minister, he had no time to focus on the reforms; enacted measures gradually lapsed or were resisted by powerful families.
  3. 1002–1003Shōen throughout Japan · JapanWithin years of Tadazane's death, shōen magnates again expanded their lands and evaded surveys, and farmers' burdens rose. The Shuryaku Reforms, Michinaga's brief mid-Heian attempt to put the officialdom in order, thus ended, failing to reverse the growth of the shōen system.

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