Tag: Taira Kiyomori

The Gempei War Part 2: A Reversal of Fortune

December 2, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 6, Episode 20: The Gempei War Part 2: A Reversal of Fortune

Minamoto Yoritomo displays his troops on the eastern side of the Fujigawa river. Mount Fuji is clearly visible in the background. Source: Public Domain

A painting of Taira Koremori, the ill-fated commander who lost the battle of Fujigawa. Source: Public Domain.

A painting of Minamoto Yoritomo, the victor of Fujigawa. Source: Public Domain

Minamoto Yoritomo’s signature, which he would have affixed to correspondences. Source: Public Domain.

A painting of Minamoto Yukiie, whose antics at the battle of Sunomatagawa led to his troops getting slaughtered after the Taira noticed that they were soaking wet. Source: Public Domain

A monument at the alleged site of the battle of Sunomatagawa.

The Gempei War Part 1: An Ill-Fated Uprising

November 29, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 6, Episode 19: The Gempei War Part 1: An Ill-Fated Uprising

源平合戦

“Gempei Kassen,” which translates to “The Gempei War.” The first two characters are from Minamoto and Taira respectively.

A painting of Minamoto Yorimasa. Source: Public Domain

A depiction of Prince Mochihito, who initiated the Gempei War. Source: Public Domain

Byodo-In, or “The Phoenix Temple,” which miraculously has survived in its original form to this day. This is where Minamoto Yorimasa fled once the First Battle of Uji was lost. Source: Oilstreet, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A depiction of the First Battle of Uji. Note the warrior monks crossing the bare beams where the planks have been torn out. Source: Public Domain

Minamoto Yorimasa preparing to commit the first known Seppuku. His dagger is drawn and he has removed his armor. Source: Public Domain.

Minamoto Misgivings

November 18, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 6, Episode 16: Minamoto Misgivings

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

Who’s in Charge Here?

November 15, 2021 justin-david-hebert Comments Off

Season 6, Episode 15: Who’s in Charge Here?

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