History of Kyoto

The city suffered extensive destruction in the Ōnin War of 1467-1477,

and did not really recover until the mid-16th century.

Battles between samurai factions spilled into the streets,

and came to involve the court nobility (kuge) and religious factions as well.

Nobles' mansions were transformed into fortresses,

deep trenches dug throughout the city for defense and as firebreaks,

and numerous buildings burned.