This week: the Taira family continue their rise to prominence, the Minamoto get stuck spinning their wheels for a few decades, and warrior violence makes its way to Kyoto.
All that, plus the hottest court gossip of the 1120s, this week.
Varley, H. Paul. Warriors of Japan: As Portrayed in the War Tales.
Images
Taira no Tadamori, whose clever leadership propelled the Taira to a central position at court. This illustration, like most of the other character sketches we have, comes from the late Edo Period; the exploits of the Taira were popular grist for the mill of pop culture.Taira no Kiyomori as a young man. Get used to that face; you’ll be seeing a lot of it.Minamoto no Yoshitomo, the renegade son of the Minamoto family head. Unlike most of his relatives, he backed the sitting Emperor Go-Shirakawa over the Retired Emperor Sutoku in the Hogen Rebellion.Emperor Go-Shirakawa, who was lucky enough to get the support of Taira no Kiyomori in his dispute with his imperial relatives.A screen showing the main (and only) battle of the Hogen Rebellion — Kiyomori’s suprise attack on Sutoku’s palace.A detail shot of the screen above, providing a closer view of the way the fighting is being depicted.
1 thought on “Episode 148 – The Birth of the Samurai, Part 3”
Another excellent series – but the title should be “Birth” not “Fall.”
Another excellent series – but the title should be “Birth” not “Fall.”