A depiction of Benkei, whose already considerable height was made more intimidating by the stilt sandals he preferred to wear. Source: Public Domain
Benkei and Yoshitsune enoying the spring sakura (cherry blossoms) together. Benkei is kneeling on the left. Source: Public Domain
A famous painting of Minamoto Yoshitsune and Benkei’s duel on the Goto Bridge in Heian-kyo. Source: Public Domain
A rather cute statue on modern-day Gojo Bridge depicting Benkei and Minamoto Yoshitsune’s duel. Source: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A painting of Taira Kiyomori completed long after his lifetime. In this image, he is attempting to command the sun to stay in the sky so that construction can continue at Itsukushima Shrine. Source: Public Domain
Itsukushima Shrine, shown at high tide when the temple complex appears to float upon the water. Source: JohnnyOneSpeed, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Honden (Main Hall) of the Itsukushima Shrine, which displays the double-roofed style of Shinden-Zukuri. Source: scarletgreen from Japan, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The bridge which connects the shrine to Miyajima, shown here at low tide. Source: David Ooms from Belgium, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The night attack on the Sanjo Palace. The Minamoto set fire to the building after securing the Retired Emperor. Public Domain
As the caption says, this is a depiction of retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa’s abduction at the end of 1159. He can be seen in the sedan wagon looking out very anxiously. Along with the arrest of sitting Emperor Nijo, this would incite the Heiji Rebellion. Public Domain
Emperor Nijo’s escape from Minamoto custody. If you look closely, you can see Nijo-Tenno inside the sedan wagon dressed as a lady-in-waiting. Public Domain
A depiction of the battle at Rokuhara, where the Minamoto samurai were defeated by the Taira. Public Domain
Taira Kiyomori, the man who would emerge from the Heiji Rebellion as the most powerful samurai, and arguably the most powerful person, in all of Japan. Public Domain
A painting of Minamoto Yoshitomo, who joined with Emperor Go-Shirakawa’s forces against his father, Minamoto Tameyoshi. Note the broken arrow sticking out of his shoulder pauldron. Public Domain
A screen painting of the Hogen Rebellion, probably painted during the later Edo Period, likely in the1600s. If you right-click–>Open Image in a New Tab, you can zoom in and see the charging Samurai fighting it out around the Shirakawa-den Palace. Public Domain
A portrait of Minamoto Yoshitomo’s brother, Minamoto Tametomo. A legendary archer, his left arm was purposefully crippled after the Hogen Rebellion and he was exiled to a small island. Public Domain
Another depiction of Minamoto Tametomo, this time drawing his bow and displaying a particularly Japanese style of archery, raising the bow above his head and then lowering it as he takes aim and draws the string back. Public Domain
Season 6, Episode 13: Emperor Shirakawa’s Loophole
A depiction of Emperor Shirakawa in monk’s habit. It would become common to portray retired emperors wearing religious clothing to reflect their status as holy rulers. Public Domain
Emperor Toba, also wearing monk’s habit. Public Domain
A painting of Abe Sadato, son of Abe Yoritoki. Sadato continued to evade and outmaneuver the Minamoto warband until the Kiyohara clan became involved in 1062. Public Domain
Japan with Mutsu Province highlighted in red. This was where the Former Nine Years War took place. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
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