The Genpei or Gempei War (源平戦争)(1180-1185) was a war of ancient Japan, fought between the Taira and Minamoto clans. The Genpei War resulted in the fall of the Taira clan and establishment of Minamoto Yoritomo as shogun of Japan in 1192. The name "Genpei" comes from Genji and Heike, alternate readings of the kanji characters 'Minamoto' and 'Taira' respectively.
The Genpei Wars were the culmination of a decades-long conflict between the two clans over dominance of the Imperial court, and thus, by extension, control of Japan. In the Hogen Rebellion and Heiji Rebellion of earlier decades, the Minamoto attempted to regain control from the Taira, and failed. The Taira then began a series of executions, intended to eliminate their rivals once and for all. Finally, in 1180, the Genpei Wars themselves began, as Minamoto no Yorimasa supported a different claimaint for the Imperial throne than the Taira nominee. The ensuing battle took place just outside Kyoto and is called the first Battle of Uji. The war ended five years later, with a decisive Minamoto victory in the naval Battle of Dan-no-ura.
Battles
- 1180 First Battle of Uji - regarded as the first battle in the Genpei Wars, the monks of the Byodoin fight alongside Minamoto no Yorimasa.
- 1180 Siege of Nara - the Taira set fire to temples and monasteries, to cut supplies to their rivals.
- 1180 Battle of Ishibashiyama - Minamoto no Yoritomo's first battle against the Taira.
- 1180 Battle of Fujigawa - The Taira mistake a flock of waterfowl for a sneak attack by the Minamoto in the night, and retreat before any fighting occurs.
- 1181 Battle of Sunomata - the Taira thwart a sneak attack in the night.
- 1181 Battle of Yahagigawa - the Minamoto, retreating from Sunomata, attempt to make a stand.
- 1183 Siege of Hiuchi - the Taira attack a Minamoto fortress.
- 1183 Battle of Kurikara - the tide of the war turns, in the Minamoto's favor.
- 1183 Battle of Shinowara
- 1183 Battle of Mizushima - the Taira intercept a Minamoto force, heading for Yashima.
- 1183 Siege of Fukuryuji - the Minamoto attack a Taira fortress.
- 1183 Battle of Muroyama
- 1184 Siege of Hojujiden - Minamoto no Yoshinaka, celebrating in Kyoto is attacked by Taira sympathizers.
- 1184 Second Battle of Uji - In response to Minamoto no Yoshinaka's inappropriate behavior, his cousin Minamoto no Yoshitsune is obliged to attack him.
- 1184 Battle of Awazu - Minamoto no Yoshinaka is defeated and killed by Yoshitsune and Noriyori.
- 1184 Battle of Ichi-no-Tani - The Minamoto attack one of the Taira's primary fortresses.
- 1184 Battle of Kojima - The Minamoto chase the fleeing Taira from Ichi-no-Tani to Yashima, fighting some here.
- 1185 Battle of Yashima - The Minamoto assault their enemies' fortress, just off of Shikoku.
- 1185 Battle of Dan-no-ura - The decisive naval battle ending the war. Also, arguably among the most interesting naval battles in history, in terms of strategy and tactics.
Genpei War in Literature
Many stories and works of art depict this conflict. The Tale of the Heike (Heike Monogatari, 平家物語) is one of the most famous.
See also
References
- Turnbull, Stephen (1998). 'The Samurai Sourcebook'. London: Cassell & Co.