The Genpei or Gempei War (源平合戦、寿永・治承の乱) (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. Events April 13 - Frederick Barbarossa issues the Gelnhausen Charter November 18 - France Emperor Antoku succeds Emperor Takakura as emperor of Japan Afonso I of Portugal is taken prisoner by Ferdinand II of Leon Artois is annexed by France Prince Mochihito amasses a large army and instigates the Genpei War between... Events April 25 - Genpei War - Sea Battle of Dan-no-ura leads to Minamoto victory in Japan Templars settle in London and begin the building of New Temple Church End of the Heian Period and beginning of the Kamakura period in Japan. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Minamoto no Yoritomo 源頼朝 (1147 - February 9, 1199) was the founder and first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan, from 1192 to 1199. ... In Japanese history, a shōgun (将軍) was the practical ruler of Japan for most of the time from 1192 to the Meiji Era beginning in 1868. ... Events The Third Crusade ends in disaster. ... Japanese writing Kanji 漢字 Kana 仮名 Hiragana 平仮名 Katakana 片仮名 Uses Furigana 振り仮名 Okurigana 送り仮名 Romaji ローマ字 Kanji (   漢字?, literally Han characters) are Chinese characters used in Japanese. ...

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 claimant 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. The Hōgen Rebellion (保元の乱) was a Japanese civil war fought in 1156 over Japanese imperial succession and control of the Fujiwara clan of regents. ... The Heiji Rebellion (平治の乱) was fought between rival subjects of the cloistered emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan in 1159. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Events April 13 - Frederick Barbarossa issues the Gelnhausen Charter November 18 - France Emperor Antoku succeds Emperor Takakura as emperor of Japan Afonso I of Portugal is taken prisoner by Ferdinand II of Leon Artois is annexed by France Prince Mochihito amasses a large army and instigates the Genpei War between... Minamoto no Yorimasa (源頼政)(1106-1180) was the leader of the Minamoto armies at the beginning of the Genpei War. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... This page is about the city Kyoto. ... Battle of Uji refers to one of three 12th-13th century battles: 1180 First Battle of Uji 1184 Second Battle of Uji 1221 Third Battle of Uji This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... The Battle of Dan-no-ura, more commonly known as Dan-no-ura no Tatakai (壇ノ浦の戦い), was a major sea battle of the Genpei War, occurring at Dan_no_ura, in the Shimonoseki Strait off the southern tip of Honshu. ...

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.

Events April 13 - Frederick Barbarossa issues the Gelnhausen Charter November 18 - France Emperor Antoku succeds Emperor Takakura as emperor of Japan Afonso I of Portugal is taken prisoner by Ferdinand II of Leon Artois is annexed by France Prince Mochihito amasses a large army and instigates the Genpei War between... The First Battle of Uji is famous & important for having opened the Gempei Wars. ... This article or section should be merged with Byodo-In Temple Built in 998 in the Heian period, Byōdōin (平等院) is a temple in the city of Uji in Kyoto prefecture in Japan. ... Minamoto no Yorimasa (源頼政)(1106-1180) was the leader of the Minamoto armies at the beginning of the Genpei War. ... Events April 13 - Frederick Barbarossa issues the Gelnhausen Charter November 18 - France Emperor Antoku succeds Emperor Takakura as emperor of Japan Afonso I of Portugal is taken prisoner by Ferdinand II of Leon Artois is annexed by France Prince Mochihito amasses a large army and instigates the Genpei War between... Following the 1180 Battle of the Uji, in which Minamoto no Yorimasa fought a small Taira army with the help of monks from the Miidera and other temples, the victorious Taira, angry at being opposed, decided to assault and burn the Miidera, before moving on to Nara. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Events April 13 - Frederick Barbarossa issues the Gelnhausen Charter November 18 - France Emperor Antoku succeds Emperor Takakura as emperor of Japan Afonso I of Portugal is taken prisoner by Ferdinand II of Leon Artois is annexed by France Prince Mochihito amasses a large army and instigates the Genpei War between... The battle of Ishibashiyama (石橋山, literally Stone Bridge Mountain) was the first in which Minamoto no Yoritomo, who was to become shogun less than a decade later, was commander of the Minamoto forces. ... Statue of Minamoto no Yoritomo at Nikko Toshogu; he is depicted wearing court dress typical of the Heian period. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Events April 13 - Frederick Barbarossa issues the Gelnhausen Charter November 18 - France Emperor Antoku succeds Emperor Takakura as emperor of Japan Afonso I of Portugal is taken prisoner by Ferdinand II of Leon Artois is annexed by France Prince Mochihito amasses a large army and instigates the Genpei War between... Attempting to recover quickly from his exile, and to rebuild his army, Minamoto no Yoritomo sent out messengers to recruit other families onto his side. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... Events Jayavarman VII assumes control of the Khmer kingdom. ... Minamoto no Yukiie attempted a sneak attack in the night, when he found Taira no Tomomori and his army directly opposite from his, along the Sunomata River. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Events Jayavarman VII assumes control of the Khmer kingdom. ... Retreating from the Battle of Sunomata, Minamoto no Yukiie attempted to make a stand by destroying the bridge over the river Yahagigawa(矢作川), and putting up a defensive shieldwall. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... Sunomata (墨俣町; -chou) is a town located in Anpachi District, Gifu, Japan. ... Events Three-year old Emperor Go-Toba ascends to the throne of Japan after the forced abdication of his brother Antoku during the Genpei War William of Tyre excommunicated by the newly appointed Heraclius of Jerusalem, firmly ending their struggle for power Andronicus I Comnenus becomes the Byzantine emperor Births... Hiuchiyama(火打ち山) was one of Minamoto no Yoshinakas fortresses in Echizen Province. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... Events Three-year old Emperor Go-Toba ascends to the throne of Japan after the forced abdication of his brother Antoku during the Genpei War William of Tyre excommunicated by the newly appointed Heraclius of Jerusalem, firmly ending their struggle for power Andronicus I Comnenus becomes the Byzantine emperor Births... The battle of Kurikara, also known as the battle of Tonamiyama (砺波山), was the battle where the tide of the war turned in the Minamotos favor. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... Events Three-year old Emperor Go-Toba ascends to the throne of Japan after the forced abdication of his brother Antoku during the Genpei War William of Tyre excommunicated by the newly appointed Heraclius of Jerusalem, firmly ending their struggle for power Andronicus I Comnenus becomes the Byzantine emperor Births... Following the Battle of Kurikara, Minamoto no Yoshinaka caught up with the retreating Taira no Munemori. ... Events Three-year old Emperor Go-Toba ascends to the throne of Japan after the forced abdication of his brother Antoku during the Genpei War William of Tyre excommunicated by the newly appointed Heraclius of Jerusalem, firmly ending their struggle for power Andronicus I Comnenus becomes the Byzantine emperor Births... One of the most important bases of the Taira was Yashima, a small island off the coast of Shikoku. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... Takamatsu (高松市; -shi lit. ... Events Three-year old Emperor Go-Toba ascends to the throne of Japan after the forced abdication of his brother Antoku during the Genpei War William of Tyre excommunicated by the newly appointed Heraclius of Jerusalem, firmly ending their struggle for power Andronicus I Comnenus becomes the Byzantine emperor Births... The Fukuryuji (福隆寺) was a fortress belonging to Seno Kaneyasu, a Taira partisan. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Events Three-year old Emperor Go-Toba ascends to the throne of Japan after the forced abdication of his brother Antoku during the Genpei War William of Tyre excommunicated by the newly appointed Heraclius of Jerusalem, firmly ending their struggle for power Andronicus I Comnenus becomes the Byzantine emperor Births... Minamoto no Yukiie tried to recoup the loss of the Battle of Mizushima by attacking Taira forces at Muroyama. ... Events Abbeville receives its commercial charter. ... For some time, Minamoto no Yoshinaka had desired to seize control of the Minamoto clan from his cousins Yoritomo and Yoshitsune. ... Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Japanese: 源義仲, 1154-1184) was a general and last shogun of the late Heian Period of Japanese history. ... This page is about the city Kyoto. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Events Abbeville receives its commercial charter. ... Minamoto no Yoshinaka tried to wrest power from his cousins Yoritomo and Yoshitsune, seeking to take command of the Clan. ... Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Japanese: 源義仲, 1154-1184) was a general and last shogun of the late Heian Period of Japanese history. ... Yoshitsune and Benkei Viewing Cherry Blossoms, by Yoshitoshi Tsukioka, 1885 Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源 義経) (1159 - May 17, 1189) was a late Heian and early Kamakura period general of the Minamoto clan of Japan. ... Events Abbeville receives its commercial charter. ... Continuing to flee from his cousins armies after attacking Kyoto, burning the Hojujiden, and kidnapping the Emperor, Minamoto no Yoshinaka made his final stand at Awazu. ... Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Japanese: 源義仲, 1154-1184) was a general and last shogun of the late Heian Period of Japanese history. ... Yoshitsune and Benkei Viewing Cherry Blossoms, by Yoshitoshi Tsukioka, 1885 Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源 義経) (1159 - May 17, 1189) was a late Heian and early Kamakura period general of the Minamoto clan of Japan. ... Minamoto no Noriyori (源範頼)(1156-1193) was a late Heian period general, who fought alongside his brothers Minamoto no Yoritomo and Minamoto no Yoshitsune at a number of battles of the Genpei War. ... Events Abbeville receives its commercial charter. ... Ichi-no-Tani (一の谷) was a Taira fortress, to the west of present-day Kobe. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Events Abbeville receives its commercial charter. ... Following the fleeing Taira from Ichi_no_Tani, on their way to Yashima, Minamoto no Noriyori engaged and defeated his enemies in battle at Kojima. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Takamatsu (高松市; -shi lit. ... Events April 25 - Genpei War - Sea Battle of Dan-no-ura leads to Minamoto victory in Japan Templars settle in London and begin the building of New Temple Church End of the Heian Period and beginning of the Kamakura period in Japan. ... Following a long string of defeats, the Taira retreated to Yashima, todays Takamatsu, just off of Shikoku. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... Shikoku (四国, four provinces) is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan. ... Events April 25 - Genpei War - Sea Battle of Dan-no-ura leads to Minamoto victory in Japan Templars settle in London and begin the building of New Temple Church End of the Heian Period and beginning of the Kamakura period in Japan. ... The Battle of Dan-no-ura, more commonly known as Dan-no-ura no Tatakai (壇ノ浦の戦い), was a major sea battle of the Genpei War, occurring at Dan_no_ura, in the Shimonoseki Strait off the southern tip of Honshu. ...

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. The Tale of the Heike (Japanese 平家物語, Heike monogatari) is an epic account of the struggle between the Minamoto and Taira clans for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century. ...

See also

• List of wars
• Military history of Japan

This is a list of wars. ... It has been suggested that Japanese strategic planning for mainland Asia (1905-1940) be merged into this article or section. ...

References

• Turnbull, Stephen (1998). 'The Samurai Sourcebook'. London: Cassell & Co.