While Hillsdale has long been associated with it's mascot, the Knights of medieval Europe, other parts of the world were developing vibrant and important cultures during the same period. Kyoto became the capital of Japan in the 8th century in what came to be known as the Heian or "Peace and Tranquility" Period. At a time when other peoples of the world were in the throes of bloody conquests and invasions, the people of Kyoto/Japan were able to take advantage of a period of unprecedented peace to focus on learning, the arts, and the development of a thriving economy.

As the final stop on the Silk Road, Kyoto learned from other cultures and then developed a unique culture of its own. One of the first novels ever written, The Tale of Genji, was written by a woman living in Kyoto at this time, and even today Kyoto remains a center of scholarship and artistic development. Kyoto, although briefly put on the list of targets considered for the atomic bombings at the end of World War II, was spared the destruction most cities in Japan suffered due to its extreme beauty and cultural significance. It was also the site of the Kyoto Protocol, a document drafted in conjunction with many nations, which called on the world to work together to preserve the environment we all share. Because of the values and history the city of Kyoto represents, the people of Kyoto House at Hillsdale chose to adopt this name.