A STUDY ON THE "BLANK TIME PERIOD FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECTS" IN JAPAN DURING THE HEIAN PERIOD

Abstract

 This study identifies the "blank time period for civil engineering projects" that existed in Japan from the 9^th century to the 11^th century, peaking in the 10^th century. The most influential underlying factor for this period is thought to be the collapse of the Ritsuryo state in the 10^th century. Another more direct cause was the existence of the ideology of "Bon-do (the onmyodo idea of avoiding digging or moving soil so as not to be cursed by the earth god)" that was widely held among the Heian Aristocrats in the 10^th and 11^th centuries. This study shows that this ideology had an influence on the "blank time period for civil engineering projects." However, this does not mean that no civil engineering projects were undertaken during this blank time period; some projects were carried out as welfare work by Buddhist priests.