Heiji Rebellion

The Heiji Rebellion (????) was fought between rival subjects of the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan in 1159. It was preceded by and a result of the H?gen Rebellion in 1156.

Related Topics:
Cloistered - Emperor Go-Shirakawa - Japan - 1159 - H?gen Rebellion - 1156

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Early in 1160 (or late 1159, by the lunar calendar), Taira no Kiyomori, head of the Taira clan and supporter of Emperor Nij?, left Kyoto with his family, on a personal pilgrimage. This left his enemies, Fujiwara no Nobuyori and the Minamoto clan, a perfect opportunity to effect an uprising. In the Siege of Sanj? Palace, Nobuyori and his Minamoto allies abducted the former emperor Emperor Go-Shirakawa and set fire to the Palace.

Related Topics:
1160 - Taira no Kiyomori - Taira - Emperor Nij? - Kyoto - Fujiwara no Nobuyori - Minamoto - Siege of Sanj? Palace - Emperor Go-Shirakawa

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Minamoto no Yoshitomo and Fujiwara no Nobuyori placed Go-Shirakawa under house arrest and killed his retainer, the scholar Fujiwara no Michinori. Nobuyori had himself declared imperial chancellor, and began to see his plans for political power fall into place.

Related Topics:
Minamoto no Yoshitomo - Fujiwara no Nobuyori - Fujiwara no Michinori

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However, the Minamoto did not plan well enough, militarily, and were unprepared to defend the city against Kiyomori's return. Upon his return, the Minamoto made no decisive moves, hesitating.

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Ultimately, Taira no Kiyomori defeated Yoshitomo, killed his two eldest sons and Nobuyori, and released Go-Shirakawa. Yoshitomo was eventually betrayed and killed by a retainer while escaping from Kyoto in Owari.

Related Topics:
Taira no Kiyomori - Owari

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Afterwards, Taira no Kiyomori banished Yoshitomo's son Minamoto no Yoritomo, seized the Minamoto wealth and land, and eventually formed the first samurai dominated government, led by the Taira, in the history of Japan.

Related Topics:
Minamoto no Yoritomo - Minamoto - Samurai - Taira - History of Japan

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The Kamakura period epic Tale of Heiji is about the exploits of the samurai that participated in the Heiji Rebellion. Together with the Tale of Hogen and the Tale of Heike, they describe the rise and fall of the Minamoto and Taira samurai clans.

Related Topics:
Kamakura period - Tale of Heiji - Tale of Hogen - Tale of Heike

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