Why did Japanese nobles in the city of heian call themselves ''dwellers among the clouds?

Japanese nobles in the city of Heian referred to themselves as "dwellers among the clouds" to highlight their elevated social status and refined lifestyle. This phrase symbolized their separation from the common people and their connection to the ethereal, artistic, and cultural pursuits characteristic of the Heian period. It reflected their appreciation for beauty, poetry, and the transience of life, akin to the fleeting nature of clouds. This self-identification underscored their elite position within the court's hierarchical society.