The Tale of the Heike
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The Tale of the Heike 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.
Detail of a screen painting depicting scenes from The Tales of Heike
Knife handle (kozuka) from matching seven-piece set of sword fittings with scenes from The Tale of Heike
Battle scenes from the Tale of Heike, early 17th century
"Kogō" and "The Imperial Procession to Ōhara"
Taira no Kiyomori
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Taira no Kiyomori was a Japanese military leader and kugyō of the late Heian period, who was Daijō-daijin and the de facto ruler of Japan from 1167 until his death. He established the first samurai-do
The Tale of the Heike
…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…
Taira no Kiyomori
Taira no Kiyomori in his later years, in book illustration by Kikuchi Yōsai
Taira no Kiyomori's signature (kaō).
While suffering from a fever, Taira no Kiyomori is confronted by a vision of hell and the ghosts of his victims, in an 1883 print by Yoshitoshi.