The Taira ( 平 ) was one of the four most important clans that dominated Japanese politics during the Heian period of Japanese history – the others being the Minamoto , the Fujiwara , and the Tachibana . The clan is divided into four major groups, named after the emperors they descended from: Kanmu Heishi, Ninmyō Heishi, Montoku Heishi, and Kōkō Heishi, the most influential of which was the Kanmu Heishi line.
65-733: In the twilight of the Heian period, the Taira controlled the boy emperor Antoku (himself the grandson of the powerful Kugyō Taira no Kiyomori ) and had effectively dominated the Imperial capital of Heian . However, they were opposed by their rivals the Minamoto clan (the Genji), which culminated in the Genpei War (1180–1185 AD). The five-year-long war concluded with a decisive Taira defeat in
130-462: A blind man called Shōbutsu to chant it". He also confirms the biwa connection of that blind man, who "was natural from the eastern tract", and who was sent from Yukinaga to "recollect some information about samurai, about their bows, their horses and their war strategy. Yukinaga wrote it after that". One of the key points in this theory is that the book was written in a difficult combination of Chinese and Japanese ( wakan konkō shō ), which in those days
195-571: A conspiracy to overthrow Kiyomori. Because of the conflict between Saikō's sons and sōhei of Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei , the plot has to be postponed. The great fire of May 27, 1177 burns the Imperial Palace in the capital, of Heian-kyō . In 1177, Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa is in conflict with Enryaku-ji. Hearing a rumor about a possible attack on Enryaku-ji, one of the Shishi-no-tani conspirators informs Taira no Kiyomori of
260-625: A key role in helping the Emperor Go-Shirakawa suppress the Hōgen rebellion (1156) and the Heiji rebellion (1159), thereby gaining more influence in the court affairs. The Taira clan members occupy major government positions, Kiyomori's daughter becomes the Emperor's wife, and more than half of all the provinces are under their control. One of the episodes describing Kiyomori's arrogance is
325-490: A military expedition to put down the rebellion of Yoritomo. When they reach the Fuji River , the Taira forces hear stories about the might of eastern warriors and fear that Minamoto forces outnumber them. At night, a flock of birds rises with great noise and the Taira forces, thinking that they are attacked, retreat in panic. Kiyomori, under pressure from temples and courtiers, moves the capital back to Kyoto . Upon hearing
390-635: A new emperor, Emperor Go-Toba , and puts the Taira out of government positions (they are designated as rebels). The Taira want to set up a new capital in Kyūshū, but have to flee from local warriors who take the side of the Retired Emperor. They arrive to Yashima in Shikoku where they have to live in humble huts instead of palaces. In late 1183, Minamoto no Yoritomo (still in Kamakura) is appointed by
455-416: A number of complementary strategies for capturing, preserving and disseminating the essential elements of their commonly-accepted national history – chronicles of sovereigns and events, biographies of eminent persons and personalities, and the military tale or gunki monogatari . This last form evolved from an interest in recording the activities of military conflicts in the late 12th century. The major battles,
520-507: A number of love stories, which harken back to earlier Heian literature. The story is roughly divided into three sections. The central figure of the first section is Taira no Kiyomori who is described as arrogant, evil, ruthless and so consumed by the fires of hatred that even in death his feverish body does not cool when immersed in water. The main figure of the second section is the Minamoto general Minamoto no Yoshinaka . After he dies
585-543: A petition at the Hachiman Shrine to get divine help for the upcoming battle. Yoshinaka attacks the Taira armies at night from the front and rear and forces them to retreat and descend to the Kurikara Valley , where most of the 70,000 Taira riders are crushed piling up in many layers (a famous "descent into Kurikara" – a major victory of Yoshinaka). At Shio-no-yama, Yoshinaka helps his uncle Yoshiie to defeat
650-502: A single creator. Like most epics (the work is an epic chronicle in prose rather than verse), it is the result of the conglomeration of differing versions passed down through an oral tradition by biwa -playing bards known as biwa hōshi . The monk Yoshida Kenkō (1282–1350) offers a theory as to the authorship of the text in his famous work Tsurezuregusa , which he wrote in 1330. According to Kenkō, "The former governor of Shinano , Yukinaga, wrote Heike monogatari and told it to
715-539: Is a collective work. The story of the Heike was compiled from a collection of oral stories recited by travelling monks who chanted to the accompaniment of the biwa, an instrument reminiscent of the lute . The most widely read version of the Heike monogatari was compiled by a blind monk named Kakuichi, in 1371. The Heike is considered one of the great classics of Medieval Japanese literature . Two main strands feed into
SECTION 10
#1732758371521780-658: Is a phrase from the Humane King Sutra , in full "The prosperous inevitably decline, the full inevitably empty" ( 盛者必衰、実者必虚 , jōsha hissui, jissha hikkyo ) . The second religious concept evident in the Tale of the Heike is another Buddhist idea, karma . The concept of karma says that every action has consequences that become apparent later in life. Thus, karma helps to deal with the problem of both moral and natural evil. Evil acts in life will bring about an inevitable suffering later in life. This can be seen clearly with
845-487: Is an ascetic with strange powers who requested donations at the court in 1179. After the refusal of Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa he caused trouble at the court and was exiled to Izu Province . At Izu, Mongaku convinces Minamoto no Yoritomo to revolt against the Taira. Then he goes to Fukuhara and brings back the Imperial Edict from Go-Shirakawa permitting Minamoto no Yoritomo to overthrow the Taira. Kiyomori sends
910-452: Is hot as fire and no water can cool him. Water sprayed on his body turns to flames and black smoke that fills the room. Kiyomori's wife has a dream about a carriage in flames that will take Kiyomori to Hell for burning Buddhist statues in the Tōdai-ji. Before dying in agony, Kiyomori makes a wish to have the head of Minamoto no Yoritomo hung before his grave. His death (in 1181, age 64) highlights
975-580: Is not traditionally listed. Heike Monogatari The Tale of the Heike ( 平家物語 , Heike Monogatari ) is an epic account compiled prior to 1330 of the struggle between the Taira clan and Minamoto clan for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century in the Genpei War (1180–1185). It has been translated into English at least five times. The first translation was by Arthur Lindsay Sadler , in 1918–1921. A complete translation in nearly 800 pages by Hiroshi Kitagawa & Bruce T. Tsuchida
1040-582: Is said to be located in a number of places around western Japan, including the island of Iwo Jima , a result of the spreading of legends about the emperor and the battle. Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne , his personal name (his imina ) was Tokihito -shinnō (言仁親王). He was also known as Kotohito -shinnō . His father was Emperor Takakura , and thus a grandson of retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa . His mother, Taira no Tokuko (平徳子), second daughter of Taira no Kiyomori (平清盛),
1105-718: The Amidaji Goeidō was built. Later, Antoku was enshrined at the Kurume-Suitengū in Kurume , Fukuoka , and he came to be worshipped as Mizu-no-kami (水の神, lit. "water-god" or "god of water"), the god of easy delivery at Suitengū (水天宮, lit. "water-heaven/emperor-shrine") everywhere. With the establishment of Shintō as the state religion of Japan , the Amidaji Temple was abandoned and the Akama Shrine
1170-489: The Gion Shōja bells echoes the impermanence of all things; the color of the sāla flowers reveals the truth that the prosperous must decline. The proud do not endure, they are like a dream on a spring night; the mighty fall at last, they are as dust before the wind. –Chapter 1.1, Helen Craig McCullough's translation The 4-character expression ( yojijukugo ) "the prosperous must decline" ( 盛者必衰 , jōshahissui )
1235-663: The Heian period and the beginning of the Kamakura period . During this time, the Imperial family was involved in a bitter struggle between warring clans. Minamoto no Yoritomo with his cousin Minamoto no Yoshinaka , led a force from the Minamoto clan against the Taira , who controlled the emperor. During the climactic sea Battle of Dan-no-ura in April 1185, Antoku's grandmother Taira no Tokiko took him and plunged with him into
1300-466: The Heike Monogatari . The two main themes are set in the famous introduction (the bells of the Gion Shōja ): impermanence and the fall of the mighty ( Taira no Kiyomori ). The chapter describes the rise of the Taira clan and early conflicts at the court. The first Taira who gets access to the Imperial court is Taira no Tadamori (1131). After Tadamori's death (1153), his son Kiyomori plays
1365-598: The 1371 Kakuichi text, is generally thought to be a fictional dramatization of the Genpei War. Rather than focusing on the Genpei warriors as they actually were, but rather upon the "... ideal warrior as conceived by oral singers ..." it serves as an account of glorified conduct as a source of inspiration. The Genpei Jōsuiki , also known as the Genpei Seisuiki ( 源平盛衰記 ) , is a 48-book extended version of
SECTION 20
#17327583715211430-495: The 50th Emperor Kanmu , who reigned from 781 to 806 ) proved to be the strongest and most dominant line during the Heian period . A great-grandson of Takamochi, Taira no Korehira , moved to Ise Province (currently part of Mie Prefecture ) and established an important Daimyo dynasty. Masamori , his grandson; and Tadamori , his great-grandson, became loyal supporters of Emperor Shirakawa and Emperor Toba , respectively. Later, Tadamori's son, Taira no Kiyomori , created what
1495-612: The Enryaku-ji complex is destroyed and a fire at the Zenkō-ji destroys a Buddhist statue. People believe these troubles to be signs of the Taira decline. Those exiled to Kikaijima build a shrine where they pray for return to capital. They make a thousand stupas (Buddhist wooden objects) with their names and throw them into the sea. One of the pieces reaches the shore. It is brought to the capital and shown to Yasuyori's family. The news reaches Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Kiyomori who see
1560-596: The Kanmu Heishi bloodline, was eventually destroyed by Minamoto no Yoritomo 's armies at the Battle of Dan-no-ura , the last battle of the Genpei War. This story is told in the Heike Monogatari . This branch of the Kanmu Heishi had many collateral branches, including Hōjō , Chiba , Miura and Hatakeyama . The other major branch of Kanmu Heishi was founded by Takamune-ō (804–867), the eldest son of Prince Imperial Kazurahara and grandson of Emperor Kanmu, who received
1625-720: The Miidera monks fight with Taira forces at the bridge over the Uji River (1180) . Despite bravery of the monks, Taira forces cross the river and win the battle. Yorimasa commits suicide in the Byōdōin temple and Prince Mochihito is killed on the way to the allied Kōfuku-ji in Nara . One of the Prince Mochihito's sons is forced to become a monk, but the other son flees north to join the Minamoto forces. Kiyomori gives orders to burn
1690-507: The Miidera temple. Many temples are burned and people see it as a bad omen for the Taira . Kiyomori moves the capital from Kyoto to his stronghold Fukuhara-kyō in 1180. Strange ghosts appear to Kiyomori (a face, laughter, skulls, ominous dreams). News of unrest in the eastern provinces (controlled by the Minamoto) reaches the new capital. A story about the monk Mongaku is inserted as a background to Minamoto no Yoritomo's revolt. Mongaku
1755-576: The Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa as a "barbarian-subduing commander" ( shōgun ). Yoritomo receives the messenger from the capital with great courtesy, invites him to a feast and gives him many gifts. Yoritomo's manners sharply contrast with Minamoto no Yoshinaka's arrogant behaviour in the capital. Yoshinaka's rudeness and lack of knowledge about etiquette are shown to be ridiculous in several episodes (makes fun of courtiers, wears tasteless hunting robes, does not know how to get out of
1820-426: The Taira and become the Emperor. Prince Mochihito issues an anti-Taira call to arms. The open conflict between the Minamoto and the Taira is triggered by Kiyomori's son Taira no Munemori humiliating Minamoto no Yorimasa's son by taking away his horse and calling it by the owner's name. Taira no Kiyomori discovers the anti-Taira plot. Prince Mochihito avoids arrest by fleeing from the capital to Miidera . Yorimasa and
1885-404: The Taira clan. The mon (crest, emblem) of the Taira clan is an Agehanochō (揚羽蝶, Swallowtail butterfly ) with raised wings. Emperor Antoku Emperor Antoku ( 安徳天皇 , Antoku-tennō , December 22, 1178 – April 25, 1185) was the 81st emperor of Japan , according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1180 through 1185. His death marked the end of
1950-486: The Taira forces (Kiyomori's son Tomonori is killed in the battle). Taira armies are also defeated in the Battle of Shinohara . Yoshinaka wins Mount Hiei monks over to his side. Taira no Munemori , head of the Taira, flees to the western provinces with Emperor Antoku and the Imperial Regalia (Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa manages to escape in a different direction). Taira no Tadanori (Kiyomori's brother) flees
2015-414: The anti-Taira conspirators gather at his villa. A famous tragic scene follows when Shunkan beats his feet on the ground in despair. Kiyomori's daughter Tokuko gives birth to the future Emperor Antoku (1178). A loyal youth in service of Shunkan, Ariō, journeys to the island finding Shunkan barely alive. Hearing the news of his family's death, Shunkan kills himself by fasting (1179). His suffering as well as
Taira clan - Misplaced Pages Continue
2080-478: The capital leaving some of his poems to a famous poet Fujiwara no Shunzei . Tsunemasa returns a famous lute to the Ninna-ji . At Fukuhara-kyō, Munemori gives a moving speech about duty to follow the Emperor, the Taira set fire to the palace and then flee from Fukuhara-kyō by boats to Kyūshū. Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa returns to the capital from Enryaku-ji together with Minamoto no Yoshinaka's armies. He installs
2145-450: The central ethos of the tale, samurai and buddhist. At one level, the Tale is an account of martial heroism – of courage, cruelty, power, glory, sacrifice and sorrow. Those who emphasise this aspect of the story point to its glorification of the heroic spirit, its avoidance of the realistic brutality and squalor of war, and its aestheticisation of death: a classic instance of the latter is
2210-436: The character's On'yomi hei ( 平 ) for Taira , while shi ( 氏 ) means " clan ", and ke ( 家 ) is used as a suffix for " extended family ". The clan is the namesake of The Tale of the Heike , an epic account of the Genpei War. Along with the Minamoto , Taira was one of the honorary surnames given by the emperors of the Heian period (794–1185) to their children and grandchildren who were not considered eligible for
2275-529: The comparison of the drowned samurai in the final battle to a maple-leaf brocade upon the waves. Others, while still accepting the importance of the military episodes and of heroic figures like Yoshitsune, would emphasise instead the Tale’s immersion in Buddhist thought, and its themes of duty, Dharma , and fate. Announced at the very beginning is the Buddhist law of transience and impermanence , specifically in
2340-507: The court of the Emperor of Japan in pre- Meiji eras. In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Antoku's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included: After his drowning, in order to mourn the body and placate any restless spirits,
2405-469: The desolate Seinan palace (1179). Emperor Takakura is forced to retire and Emperor Antoku, Kiyomori's grandson, age 3, becomes the new Emperor. Retired Emperor Takakura angers the monks of Enryaku-ji by going to the Itsukushima Shrine instead of the Enryaku-ji. Minamoto no Yorimasa persuades Prince Mochihito , the second son of Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, to lead Minamoto forces against
2470-453: The events of the last several years. Kiso no Yoshinaka (cousin of Minamoto no Yoritomo in the northwestern provinces) plans a rebellion against the Taira and raises an army. Messengers bring news of anti-Taira forces gathering under the Minamoto leadership in the eastern provinces, Kyūshū , Shikoku. The Taira have trouble dealing with all the rebellions. To make things worse for the Taira, their leader, Taira no Kiyomori , falls ill. His body
2535-402: The famous story about the dancer Giō who falls out of Kiyomori's favour and becomes a nun. Kiyomori and the Taira even dare to conflict with the powerful Regent, Fujiwara no Motofusa. Angered by the Taira dominance, Major Counselor Fujiwara no Narichika , Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, Buddhist monk Saikō and others meet at Shishigatani (the villa of the temple administrator Shunkan ) and plot
2600-419: The first to bear the name of Taira, after 825 . Later, descendants of Emperor Nimmyo , Emperor Montoku and Emperor Koko also received the surname. The specific hereditary lines of these emperors are referred to by the posthumous name of the emperor followed by Heishi, for example Kanmu Heishi . The Kanmu Heishi line has two major branches. One was founded in 889 by Taira no Takamochi (great-grandson of
2665-536: The form of the fleeting nature of fortune, an analog of sic transit gloria mundi . The theme of impermanence ( mujō ) is captured in the famous opening passage:– 祇園精舎の鐘の聲、諸行無常の響き有り。 沙羅雙樹の花の色、盛者必衰の理を顯す。 驕れる者も久しからず、唯春の夜の夢の如し。 猛き者も遂には滅びぬ、偏に風の前の塵に同じ。 Gionshōja no kane no koe, Shogyōmujō no hibiki ari. Sarasōju no hana no iro, Jōshahissui no kotowari wo arawasu. Ogoreru mono mo hisashikarazu, tada haru no yo no yume no gotoshi. Takeki mono mo tsui ni wa horobin(u), hitoeni kaze no mae no chiri ni onaji. The sound of
Taira clan - Misplaced Pages Continue
2730-405: The hands of the revitalized Minamoto, and the first establishment of samurai government ( Kamakura shogunnate ). The story is episodic in nature and designed to be told in a series of nightly instalments. While tinged with Buddhism, it is also a samurai epic focusing on warrior culture – an ideology that ultimately laid the groundwork for bushido (the way of the warrior). The Heike also includes
2795-504: The leader of the Taira clan, is conferred a high rank in the court administration. In 1183, the Taira gather a large army (mainly from western provinces) and send it against Minamoto no Yoshinaka and Minamoto no Yoritomo. Going north, Taira armies pillage local villages. Taira no Tsunemasa visits an island to pray and compose a poem. At the Siege of Hiuchi , the Taira get help from a loyal abbot and defeat Yoshinaka's garrisons. Yoshinaka writes
2860-444: The main figure of the third section is the great samurai, Minamoto no Yoshitsune , a military genius who is falsely accused of treachery by his politically astute elder brother Minamoto no Yoritomo . The Tale of the Heike has provided material for many later artistic works ranging from Noh plays and Kabuki plays , to woodblock prints , paintings and haiku ; and is also referenced in modern works. The Japangol have developed
2925-415: The naval Battle of Dan-no-Ura , which resulted in the deaths of Antoku and Taira leaders. Following the war, the victorious Minamoto established Japan's first shogunate in Kamakura . The name "Genpei" comes from alternate readings of the kanji "Minamoto" (源 Gen ) and "Taira" (平 Hei ). The clan is commonly referred to as Heishi ( 平氏 , "Taira clan") or Heike ( 平家 , "House of Taira") , using
2990-585: The plot. The monk Saikō is executed and others are exiled. Kiyomori is angered by the participation of the Retired Emperor in the plot and prepares to arrest him. Taira no Shigemori , the eldest virtuous son of Kiyomori, successfully admonishes his father by reminding him of the Confucian value of loyalty to the Emperor. Major Counselor Fujiwara no Narichika is exiled to an island and cruelly executed. Other conspirators (Naritsune, Yasuyori and Shunkan ) are exiled to Kikaijima near Satsuma Province . Meanwhile,
3055-524: The rumours of an attack being planned by the Taira, monks of the Kōfukuji temple (who supported the rebellion of Prince Mochihito ) revolt and kill messengers sent by Kiyomori. Taira forces lay siege to Nara and burn many important temples ( Tōdai-ji , Kōfuku-ji), statues and Buddhist texts. Retired Emperors and courtiers lament the destruction of Nara. This evil deed is believed to lead to Kiyomori's downfall. In 1181, Retired Emperor Takakura dies, troubled by
3120-421: The small skirmishes and the individual contests (and the military figures who animate these accounts) have all been passed from generation to generation in the narrative formats of The Tale of Hōgen (1156), The Tale of Heiji (1159–1160), and the Heike Monogatari (1180–1185). In each of these familiar monogatari , the central figures are popularly well known, the major events are generally understood, and
3185-415: The stakes as they were understood at the time are conventionally accepted as elements in the foundation of Japanese culture. The accuracy of each of these historical records has become a compelling subject for further study; and some accounts have been shown to withstand, while other presumed "facts" have turned out to be inaccurate. The most prevalent and well known edition of the Tale of the Heike today,
3250-410: The stupa with emotion. The illness of Kiyomori's pregnant daughter, Taira no Tokuko , is attributed to angry spirits of the executed (such as Fujiwara no Narichika) and the exiled. Taira no Kiyomori, interested in becoming a grandfather of the Imperial prince, agrees to a general amnesty. Fujiwara no Narichika's son Naritsune and Yasuyori are pardoned, but Shunkan is left alone on Kikaijima for letting
3315-500: The themes of impermanence and fall of the mighty. Kiyomori's evil deeds will become his torturers in Hell. His fame and power turned to smoke and dust. In the east, Taira forces are successful in some battles, but are not able to defeat the Minamoto forces. Divine forces punish and kill the governor appointed by Kiyomori to put down Kiso no Yoshinaka's rebellion. Kiso no Yoshinaka wins a major battle at Yokotagawara (1182). Taira no Munemori,
SECTION 50
#17327583715213380-494: The third son of Yoshitomo, into exile. In 1180 , Yoritomo organized a large-scale rebellion against the rule of the Taira (the Genpei War or Taira-Minamoto ), culminated with the destruction of the Taira by the Minamoto clan and the subjugation of eastern Japan in five years. In 1192 , Minamoto no Yoritomo received the title shogun and created the first bakufu based in Kamakura (Kanagawa Prefecture). The Taira clan had four main branches: These were important members of
3445-504: The throne. The clan was founded when the Imperial Court grew too large, and the emperor ordered that the descendants of previous emperors from several generations ago would no longer be princes but would instead be given noble surnames and ranks. The decision became applicable during the reign of Emperor Kanmu (782–805) and thus, together with the Minamoto clan, the Taira clan was born. Some grandchildren of Emperor Kanmu were
3510-484: The title New Tale of the Heike ( Shin Heike Monogatari ). Heike ( 平家 ) refers to the Taira ( 平 ), hei being the on'yomi reading of the first kanji and "ke" ( 家 ) meaning "family". However, in the term "the Genpei War" "hei" is read as "pei" and the "gen" ( 源 ) is the first kanji in "Genji" the alternative name for the Minamoto clan. The Tale of the Heike ' s origin cannot be reduced to
3575-810: The title of Taira no Ason in the year 825. Members of this branch served as middle-class kuge in the Imperial Court of Kyoto. The Oda clan at the time of Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582) also claimed Taira descent, they were descendants of Taira no Chikazane , grandson of Taira no Shigemori (1138–1179). During the Heiji Rebellion (1160), the Seiwa Genji leader, Minamoto no Yoshitomo , died in battle. Taira no Kiyomori gained power in Kyoto forging alliances with retired emperors Shirakawa and Toba . Kiyomori sent Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147–1199),
3640-503: The treatment of Kiyomori in The Tale of the Heike , who is cruel throughout his life, and later falls into a painful illness that kills him. The Buddhist theme of impermanence in the Heike is epitomised in the fall of the powerful Taira – the samurai clan who defeated the imperial-backed Minamoto in 1161. The Taira warrior family sowed the seeds of their own destruction with acts of arrogance and pride that led to their defeat in 1185 at
3705-548: The water in the Shimonoseki Straits, drowning the child emperor rather than allowing him to be captured by the opposing forces. This clash of clans led to numerous legends and tales. The story of Emperor Antoku and his mother's family became the subject of the Kamakura period epic poem The Tale of the Heike (Heike is an alternative reading of the Japanese characters for "House of the Taira"). Antoku's tomb
3770-550: The whirlwind that strikes the capital are seen as signs of the fall of the Taira. Kiyomori's virtuous son, Taira no Shigemori, goes on a pilgrimage to Kumano and asks the gods for a quick death if the Taira are to fall. In a short while, he falls ill and dies. Without Shigemori's restraining influence, Kiyomori is close to open war with Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa. He leads soldiers to Kyoto where he exiles or dismisses 43 top court officials (including Regent Fujiwara no Motofusa). Next, Kiyomori imprisons Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa in
3835-416: The young emperor. His mother also drowned herself, but apparently, according to The Tale of the Heike ( Heike Monogatari ), she was pulled out with a rake by her long hair . According to Yoshitsune's dispatch, the sacred seal was found, but the sacred sword was lost. The sword was one of the three sacred treasures . Kugyō (公卿) is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to
3900-495: Was considered the first samurai government in the history of Japan. Taira no Kiyomori, son and heir of Tadamori, rose to the position of Daijō Daijin (great Minister of State), after his victories in the Hōgen Rebellion (1156) and the Heiji Rebellion (1160). Kiyomori succeeded in enthroning his youngest grandson as Emperor Antoku in 1180, an act that led to the Genpei War (Genpei no Sōran, 1180–1185). The last leader of
3965-665: Was established in Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi prefecture to celebrate Antoku. The Imperial Household Agency designates Amida-ji no misasagi (阿彌陀寺陵) near Akama Shrine in Shimonoseki as Antoku's tomb. The years of Antoku's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō . Unless otherwise noted (as BC), years are in CE / AD Imperial Consort and Regent Empress Jingū
SECTION 60
#17327583715214030-422: Was later referred to as Empress Dowager Kenrei (建礼門院, Kenrei-mon In ). Antoku was named crown prince at around one month of age. He ascended the throne at the age of two. Naturally, he held no actual power, but rather his grandfather Taira no Kiyomori ruled in his name, though not officially, as sesshō (regent). In the year of his enthronement, the capital was moved to modern-day Kōbe , Hyōgo , but it
4095-432: Was mastered only by educated monks and nobles, such as Yukinaga. However, in the end, as the tale is the result of a long oral tradition, there is no single true author; Yukinaga is only one possibility of being the first to compile this masterpiece into a written form. Moreover, as it is true that there are frequent steps back, and that the style is not the same throughout the composition, this cannot mean anything but that it
4160-466: Was published in 1975. It was also translated by Helen McCullough in 1988. An abridged translation by Burton Watson was published in 2006. In 2012, Royall Tyler completed his translation, which, he says, seeks to be mindful of the performance style for which the work was originally intended. Historical novelist Eiji Yoshikawa published a prose rendering in the Asahi Weekly in 1950, under
4225-411: Was soon moved back to Heian-kyō . In 1183, when Minamoto no Yoshinaka entered the capital, the Taira clan fled with the young emperor and the sacred treasures to Yashima (the name of a place inside modern-day Takamatsu , Kagawa ). Being defeated in ensuing battle, they fled westward. The Taira were defeated. Antoku's grandmother, Taira no Tokiko , Kiyomori's widow, drowned herself along with
#520479