History UsefulNotes / Heike

A samurai family from Heian Japan, who dominated the court at one point and then exterminated. The story of their demise is immortalized by the classical Japanese epic, ''[[Literature/TheTaleOfTheHeike The Tale of the Heike]]''.

The family's fortune changed when political power shifted from the Fujiwara regency to the "cloistered rule" of ex-Emperor, and the Minamoto had several major fuckups. When Minamoto no Yoshichika, firstborn of the legendary Minamoto no "Son of [[WarGod Hachiman]]" Yoshiie, rebelled and his father failed to suppress him, it was Taira no Masamori who quelled the rebellion. Taira no Tadamori, Masamori's son, became a loyal supporter of the abdicated Emperor Shirakawa, the one who actually held supreme power in Japan. Tadamori's victories against pirates allowed him to tap into the ludicrous underground trade with {{UsefulNotes/SongLiaoJurchenJinAndWesternXiaDynasties Song China}}. The accumulated wealth and prestige over these two generations allowed the ascendancy of Kiyomori, son and heir of Tadamori.

For several generations, nothing particularly spectacular happened to the clan . The Taira clansmen lived in and governed the provinces, which means they were somewhat wealthy but still nobody in the eyes of the nobles in the capital. Meanwhile, the UsefulNotes/{{Fujiwara}} regency reached its golden age, and the Seiwa Genji held greater prestige thanks to allying with the Fujiwara and winning several wars in the East.

The tale of Heike's dominance is as follows: Taira no Tadamori became a loyal supporter of the abdicated Emperor Shirakawa, which enabled the growth of the Family's wealth. Taira no Kiyomori, son and heir of Tadamori, rose to the position of daijō daijin (which translates to great minister of state) following his victories in the Hōgen Disturbance of 1156 and the Heiji Rebellion. He then managed to enthrone his infant grandson as Emperor Antoku in 1180, an act which led to the foundation of the first Samurai dominated government, as well as the Genpei War, the war that shook up Japan for good. Kiyomori's sons, the last of the head Kanmu branch, were eventually defeated by the 6 armies of Minamoto no Yoritomo at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, ending the Genpei War in the Minamoto's favor. The Taira would have the last laugh, however, when the Hojo regency began.[[note]]the Hojo ''claimed'' to descend from a Taira branch that split very early from what would become the Heike. This claim is a bit dubious (''Literature/TheTaleOfTheHeike,'' for example, never mentions the Hojo's link to the Heike) but was taken seriously to a certain extent, to the point that the ''Literature/{{Taiheiki}}'' just outright calls them "Taira" and tries to frame the Hojo's downfall as the Genpei War 2.0[[/note]]

Prince Takamochi, a great-grandson or grandson of Emperor Kanmu, was bestowed the Taira surname, and his clan set up shop in the eastern provinces. A familial feud between his eldest son and his grandson by a younger son somehow snowballed into a rebellion as said grandson, Taira no Masakado, conquered several provinces and allegedly proclaimed himself as Emperor.[[note]]probably because Masakado failed to gain the Imperial court's support against his foes[[/note]] It took three generals, Minamoto no Tsunetomo, Taira no Sadamori, and Fujiwara no Hidesato[[note]]it was mostly Hidesato[[/note]] to defeat him. This conflict had little immediate effect, but huge ramification for the next centuries: the descendants of Tsunemoto and Sadamori respectively became the [[UsefulNotes/KamakuraShogunate Kawachi Genji]] and the Ise Heishi i.e. the Heike. Masakado became one of the three great angry spirits of Japan, and eventually became a patron deity of what would become {{UsefulNotes/Tokyo}}.

The Taira were in many ways similar to their rivals, [[UsefulNotes/{{Genji}} The Minamoto]]. They were off shoots of the Imperial family, declassed and given a new surname. Many Emperor bestowed the Taira surname to royalties low on the rung, and thus the Taira ''clans'' are named after their imperial sire e.g. Nimyo Heishi, a Montoku Heishi, and a Koko Heishi with "Hei" being the AlternateCharacterReading of the surname Taira, and Heishi means ''Taira clan/clansman.'' The most famous of these is the warrior clan Kanmu Heishi (named after Emperor Kanmu, who started the Heian Period in the first place) whose main branch is known as the Heike (meaning "the Taira family").[[note]]a second Kanmu Heishi existed, but they, like the other Heishi, were court nobles/ bureaucrats, not warriors[[/note]]

A samurai family from Heian Japan, who dominated the court at one point and then exterminated. The story of their demise is immortalized by the early Japanese epic, ''[[Literature/TheTaleOfTheHeike The Tale of the Heike]]''.

A samurai family from Heian Japan, the Taira were in many ways similar to their rivals, [[UsefulNotes/{{Genji}} The Minamoto]]. They were off shoots of the Imperial family, declassed and given a new surname. They also were separated by Emperor name, an AlternateCharacterReading of their name (Heishi, though Heike[[note]]which refers specifically to Kiyomori's family, not just anyone having a Taira surname[[/note]] is arguably more famous and thus the name of this article). They even dominated the court at one point.

The most famous and successful branch is the Kanmu Heishi (named after Emperor Kanmu, who started the Heian Period in the first place), though a second Kanmu Heishi, as well as a Nimyo Heishi, a Montoku Heishi, and a Koko Heishi also existed.

%%Prince Takamochi, a great-grandson or grandson of Emperor Kanmu, was bestowed the Taira surname, and his clan set up shop in the eastern provinces. A familial feud between his eldest son and his grandson by a younger son somehow snowballed into a rebellion as said grandson, Taira no Masakado, conquered several provinces and allegedly proclaimed himself as Emperor.[[note]]probably because Masakado failed to gain the Imperial court's support against his foes[[/note]] It took three generals, Minamoto no Tsunetomo, Taira no Sadamori, and Fujiwara no Hidesato[[note]]it was mostly Hidesato[[/note]] to defeat him. This conflict had little immediate effect, but huge ramification for the next centuries: the descendants of Tsunemoto and Sadamori respectively became the [[UsefulNotes/KamakuraShogunate Kawachi Genji]] and the Ise Heishi i.e. the Heike. Masakado became one of the three great angry spirits of Japan, and eventually became a patron deity of what would become {{UsefulNotes/Tokyo}}.

The tale of Heike's dominance is as follows: Taira no Tadamori became a loyal supporter of the abdicated Emperor Shirakawa, which enabled the growth of the Family's wealth. Taira no Kiyomori, son and heir of Tadamori, rose to the position of daijō daijin (which translates to great minister of state) following his victories in the Hōgen Disturbance of 1156 and the Heiji Rebellion. He then managed to enthrone his infant grandson as Emperor Antoku in 1180, an act which led to the foundation of the first Samurai dominated government, as well as the Genpei War, the war that shook up Japan for good. Kiyomori's sons, the last of the head Kanmu branch, were eventually defeated by the 6 armies of Minamoto no Yoritomo at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, ending the Genpei War in the Minamoto's favor. This story is told in the early Japanese epic, ''[[Literature/TheTaleOfTheHeike The Tale of the Heike]]''. The Taira would have the last laugh, however, when the Hojo regency began.[[note]]the Hojo ''claimed'' to descend from a Taira branch that split very early from what would become the Heike. This claim is a bit dubious (''Literature/TheTaleOfTheHeike,'' for example, never mentions the Hojo's link to the Heike) but was taken seriously to a certain extent, to the point that the ''Literature/{{Taiheiki}}'' just outright calls them "Taira" and tries to frame the Hojo's downfall as the Genpei War 2.0[[/note]]

%%Prince Takamochi, a great-grandson or grandson of Emperor Kanmu, was bestowed the Taira surname, and his clan set up shop in the eastern provinces. A familial feud between his eldest son and his grandson by a younger son somehow snowballed into a rebellion as said grandson, Taira no Masakado, conquered several provinces and allegedly proclaimed himself as Emperor.[[note]]probably because Masakado failed to gain the Imperial court's support against his foes[[/note]] It took three generals, Minamoto no Tsunetomo, Taira

Their tale of dominance is as follows: Taira no Tadamori became a loyal supporter of the abdicated Emperor Shirakawa, which enabled the growth of the Family's wealth. Taira no Kiyomori, son and heir of Tadamori, rose to the position of daijō daijin (which translates to great minister of state) following his victories in the Hōgen Disturbance of 1156 and the Heiji Rebellion. He then managed to enthrone his infant grandson as Emperor Antoku in 1180, an act which led to the foundation of the first Samurai dominated government, as well as the Genpei War, the war that shook up Japan for good. Kiyomori's sons, the last of the head Kanmu branch, were eventually defeated by the 6 armies of Minamoto no Yoritomo at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, ending the Genpei War in the Minamoto's favor. This story is told in the early Japanese epic, ''[[Literature/TheTaleOfTheHeike The Tale of the Heike]]''. The Taira would have the last laugh, however, when the Hojo regency began.[[note]]the Hojo ''claimed'' to descend from a Taira branch that split very early from what would become the Heike. This claim is a bit dubious (''Literature/TheTaleOfTheHeike,'' for example, never mentions the Hojo's link to the Heike) but was taken seriously to a certain extent, to the point that the ''Literature/{{Taiheiki}}'' just outright calls them "Taira" and tries to frame the Hojo's downfall as the Genpei War 2.0[[/note]]

Their tale of dominance is as follows: Taira no Tadamori became a loyal supporter of the abdicated Emperor Shirakawa, which enabled the growth of the Family's wealth. Taira no Kiyomori, son and heir of Tadamori, rose to the position of daijō daijin (which translates to great minister of state) following his victories in the Hōgen Disturbance of 1156 and the Heiji Rebellion. He then managed to enthrone his infant grandson as Emperor Antoku in 1180, an act which led to the foundation of the first Samurai dominated government, as well as the Genpei War, the war that shook up Japan for good. Kiyomori's sons, the last of the head Kanmu branch, were eventually defeated by the 6 armies of Minamoto no Yoritomo at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, ending the Genpei War in the Minamoto's favor. This story is told in the early Japanese epic, ''[[Literature/TheTaleOfTheHeike The Tale of the Heike]]''. The Taira would have the last laugh, however, when the Hojo regency began.[[note]]the Hojo ''claimed'' to descend from a Taira branch that split very early from what would become the Heike. This claim is a bit dubious (Literature/TheTaleOfTheHeike, for example, never mentions the Hojo's link to the Heike) but was taken seriously to a certain extent, to the point that the Literature/Taiheiki just outright calls them "Taira" and tries to frame the Hojo's downfall as the Genpei War 2.0[[/note]]

A samurai family from Heian Japan, the Taira were in many ways similar to their rivals, [[UsefulNotes/{{Genji}} The Minamoto]]. They were off shoots of the Imperial family, declassed and given a new surname. They also were separated by Emperor name, an AlternateCharacterReading of their name (Heishi, though Heike[[note]]which refers specifically to Kiyomori's family, not just anyone having a Taira surname[[/note]] is arguably more famous and the name of this article). They even dominated the court at one point. The most famous and successful branch is the Kanmu Heishi (named after the man who started the Heian Period in the first place), though a second Kanmu Heishi, as well as a Nimyo Heishi, a Montoku Heishi, and a Koko Heishi also existed. Their tale of dominance is as follows: Taira no Tadamori became a loyal supporter of the abdicated Emperor Shirakawa, which enabled the growth of the Family's wealth. Taira no Kiyomori, son and heir of Tadamori, rose to the position of daijō daijin (which translates to great minister of state) following his victories in the Hōgen Disturbance of 1156 and the Heiji Rebellion. He then managed to enthrone his infant grandson as Emperor Antoku in 1180, an act which led to the foundation of the first Samurai dominated government, as well as the Genpei War, the war that shook up Japan for good. Kiyomori's sons, the last of the head Kanmu branch, were eventually defeated by the 6 armies of Minamoto no Yoritomo at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, ending the Genpei War in the Minamoto's favor. This story is told in the early Japanese epic, ''[[Literature/TheTaleOfTheHeike The Tale of the Heike]]''. The Taira would have the last laugh, however, when the Hojo regency began[[note]]the Hojo ''claimed'' to descend from a Taira branch that split very early from what would become the Heike. This claim is a bit dubious (the Literature/TheTaleOfTheHeike, for example, never mentions the Hojo's link to the Heike) but was taken seriously to a certain extent, to the point that the Literature/Taiheiki just outright calls them "Taira" and tries to frame the Hojo's downfall as the Genpei War 2.0[[/note]]. They were one of the Four Great Houses, alongside the Minamoto, UsefulNotes/{{Fujiwara}}, and Tachibana clans. The Oda clan (as in UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga) claimed descent.

A samurai family from Heian Japan, the Taira were in many ways similar to their rivals, [[UsefulNotes/{{Genji}} The Minamoto]]. They were off shoots of the Imperial family, declassed and given a new surname. They also were separated by Emperor name, an AlternateCharacterReading of their name (Heishi, though Heike is arguably more famous and the name of this article). They even dominated the court at one point. The most famous and successful branch is the Kanmu Heishi (named after the man who started the Heian Period in the first place), though a second Kanmu Heishi, as well as a Nimyo Heishi, a Montoku Heishi, and a Koko Heishi also existed. Their tale of dominance is as follows: Taira no Tadamori became a loyal supporter of the abdicated Emperor Shirakawa, which enabled the growth of the Family's wealth. Taira no Kiyomori, son and heir of Tadamori, rose to the position of daijō daijin (which translates to great minister of state) following his victories in the Hōgen Disturbance of 1156 and the Heiji Rebellion. He then managed to enthrone his infant grandson as Emperor Antoku in 1180, an act which led to the foundation of the first Samurai dominated government, as well as the Genpei War, the war that shook up Japan for good. Kiyomori's sons, the last of the head Kanmu branch, were eventually defeated by the 6 armies of Minamoto no Yoritomo at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, ending the Genpei War in the Minamoto's favor. This story is told in the early Japanese epic, ''[[Literature/TheTaleOfTheHeike The Tale of the Heike]]''. The Taira would have the last laugh, however, when the Hojo regency began. They were one of the Four Great Houses, alongside the Minamoto, UsefulNotes/{{Fujiwara}}, and Tachibana clans. The Oda clan (as in UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga) claimed descent.

A samurai family from Heian Japan, the Taira were in many ways similar to their rivals, [[UsefulNotes/{{Genji}} The Minamoto]]. They were off shoots of the Imperial family, declassed and given a new surname. They also were separated by Emperor name, an AlternateCharacterReading of their name (Heishi, though Heike is arguably more famous and the name of this article). They even dominated the court at one point. The most famous and successful branch is the Kanmu Heishi (named after the man who started the Heian Period in the first place), though a second Kanmu Heishi, as well as a Nimyo Heishi, a Montoku Heishi, and a Koko Heishi also existed. Their tale of dominance is as follows: Taira no Tadamori became a loyal supporter of the abdicated Emperor Shirakawa, which enabled the growth of the Family's wealth. Taira no Kiyomori, son and heir of Tadamori, rose to the position of daijō daijin (which translates to great minister of state) following his victories in the Hōgen Disturbance of 1156 and the Heiji Rebellion. He then managed to enthrone his infant grandson as Emperor Antoku in 1180, an act which led to the foundation of the first Samurai dominated government, as well as the Genpei War, the war that shook up Japan for good. Kiyomori's sons, the last of the head Kanmu branch, were eventually defeated by the 6 armies of Minamoto no Yoritomo at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, ending the Genpei War in the Minamoto's favor. This story is told in the early Japanese epic, The Tale of the Heike. The Taira would have the last laugh, however, when the Hojo regency began. They were one of the Four Great Houses, alongside the Minamoto, UsefulNotes/{{Fujiwara}}, and Tachibana clans. The Oda clan (as in UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga) claimed descent.

A samurai family from Heian Japan, the Taira were in many ways similar to their rivals, [[UsefulNotes/{{Genji}} The Minamoto]]. They were off shoots of the Imperial family, declassed and given a new surname. They also were separated by Emperor name, an AlternateCharacterReading of their name (Heishi, though Heike is arguably more famous and the name of this article). They even dominated the court at one point. The most famous and successful branch is the Kanmu Heishi (named after the man who started the Heian Period in the first place), though a second Kanmu Heishi, as well as a Nimyo Heishi, a Montoku Heishi, and a Koko Heishi also existed. Their tale of dominance is as follows: Taira no Tadamori became a loyal supporter of the abdicated Emperor Shirakawa, which enabled the growth of the Family's wealth. Taira no Kiyomori, son and heir of Tadamori, rose to the position of daijō daijin (which translates to great minister of state) following his victories in the Hōgen Disturbance of 1156 and the Heiji Rebellion. He then managed to enthrone his infant grandson as Emperor Antoku in 1180, an act which led to the foundation of the first Samurai dominated government, as well as the Genpei War, the war that shook up Japan for good. Kiyomori's sons, the last of the head Kanmu branch, were eventually defeated by the 6 armies of Minamoto no Yoritomo at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, ending the Genpei War in the Minamoto's favor. This story is told in the early Japanese epic, The Tale of the Heike. The Taira would have the last laugh, however, when the Hojo regency began. They were one of the Four Great Houses, alongside the Minamoto, UsefulNotes/{{Fujiwara}}, and Tachibana clans. The Oda clan (as in, UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga) claimed descent.

A samurai family from Heian Japan, the Taira were in many ways similar to their rivals, [[UsefulNotes/{{Genji}} The Minamoto]]. They were off shoots of the Imperial family, declassed and given a new surname. They also were separated by Emperor name an AlternateCharacterReading of their name (Heishi, though Heike is arguably more famous and the name of this article). They even dominated the court at one point. The most famous and successful branch is the Kanmu Heishi (named after the man who started the Heian Period in the first place), though a second Kanmu Heishi, as well as a Nimyo Heishi, a Montoku Heishi, and a Koko Heishi also existed. Their tale of dominance is as follows: Taira no Tadamori, became a loyal supporter of the abdicated Emperor Shirakawa, which enable the growth of the Family's wealth. Taira no Kiyomori, son and heir of Tadamori, rose to the position of daijō daijin (which translates togreat minister of state) following his victories in the Hōgen Disturbance of 1156 and the Heiji Rebellion. He then managed to enthrone his infant grandson as Emperor Antoku in 1180, an act which led to the foundation of the first Samurai dominated government, as well as the Genpei War, the war that shook up Japan for good. Kiyomori's sons, the last of the head Kanmu branch, were eventually defeated by the 6 armies of Minamoto no Yoritomo at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, ending the Genpei War in the Minamoto's favor. This story is told in the early Japanese epic, The Tale of the Heike. The Taira would have the last laugh, however, when the Hojo regency began. They were one of the Four Great Houses, alongside the Minamoto, UsefulNotes/{{Fujiwara}}, and Tachibana clans. The Oda clan (as in, UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga) claimed descent.

A samurai family from Heian Japan, the Taira were in many ways similar to their rivals, [[UsefulNotes/{{Genji}} The Minamoto]]. They were off shoots of the Imperial family, declassed and given a new surname. They also were separated by Emperor name an AlternateCharacterReading of their name (Heishi, though Heike is arguably more famous and the name of this article). They even dominated the court at one point. The most famous and successful branch is the Kanmu Heishi (named after the man who started the Heian Period in the first place), though a second Kanmu Heishi, as well as a Nimyo Heishi, a Montoku Heishi, and a Koko Heishi also existed. Their tale of dominance is as follows: Taira no Tadamori, became a loyal supporter of the abdicated Emperor Shirakawa, which enable the growth of the Family's wealth. Taira no Kiyomori, son and heir of Tadamori, rose to the position of daijō daijin (which translates togreat minister of state) following his victories in the Hōgen Disturbance of 1156 and the Heiji Rebellion. He then managed to enthrone his infant grandson as Emperor Antoku in 1180, an act which led to the foundation of the first Samurai dominated government, as well as the Genpei War, the war that shook up Japan for good. Kiyomori's sons, the last of the head Kanmu branch, were eventually defeated by the 6 armies of Minamoto no Yoritomo at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, ending the Genpei War in the Minamoto's favor. This story is told in the early Japanese epic, The Tale of the Heike. The Taira would have the last laugh, however, when the Hojo regency began. They were one of the Four Great Houses, alongside the Minamoto, UsefulNotes/{{Fujiwara}}, and Tachbana clans. The Oda clan (as in, UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga) claimed descent.