Information Revolution

The Muromachi shogunate was inaugurated early in the 14th century, making Kyoto once again the centre of government. But the city was twice razed, in the Onin and Bunkyu Wars, and there was nothing at all left of the old Heian culture. Kyoto, though, was to return to life after many years of fight and scorched earth policies. Wealthy merchants known as machishu emerged and brought money back to the city. In the summer of 1500, Kyoto’s ancient pride, the Gion Festival was revived to great joy as the symbol of the revived city.
In the Sengoku period, the city functioned almost as two separate entities: the Upper City, with the court and warriors and the famous Nishijin fabric weavers, and the mercantile Lower City. Their respective civic halls were the Kodo and the Rokkakudo.
There was also a move towards the idea of a ‘rus in urbem’, or a hermitage-live dwelling within the space of the city. This was favoured by tea masters. Kyoto returned as the centre of cultural life at this time, with a vibrant artistic scene.