Minamoto no Yorimasa (源頼政)(1106-1180) was the leader of the Minamoto armies at the beginning of the Genpei War. While there had been clashes between the Minamoto and Taira clans for decades, Yorimasa, a poet, tried to stay out of politics, and avoided taking sides in this conflict. For a time, he was even friends with Taira no Kiyomori. During the Heiji Rebellion of 1160, he leaned just enough in favor of the Taira that it allowed them to overthrow the Minamoto. However, by the time he officially retired from military service in Kiyomori's army in 1179, Yorimasa had changed his mind about opposing his own clan. In May of 1180, he sent out an appeal to other Minamoto leaders, and to temples and monasteries that Kiyomori had offended. Events September 28 - Henry I of England defeats his older brother Robert Curthose, duke of Normandy, at the Battle of Tinchebrai, and imprisons him in Cardiff Castle; Edgar Atheling and William Clito are also taken prisoner. ... 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 (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 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. ... 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. ... Statue of Taira no Kiyomori, Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture Taira no Kiyomori (å¹³ 清盛 1118 - 1181) was a general of the late Heian period of Japan. ... The Heiji Rebellion (平治の乱) was fought between rival subjects of the cloistered emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan in 1159. ... Events Erik den helige is succeeded by Karl Sverkersson. ... 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 Third Council of the Lateran condemned Waldensians and Cathars as heretics, institutes a reformation of clerical life, and creates the first ghettos for Jews Afonso I is recognized as the true King of Portugal by Portugal the protection of the Catholic Church against the Castillian monarchy Philip II is... 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 (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 Genpei War war officially began with the Battle of the Uji in 1180. Yorimasa led Minamoto forces, along with warrior monks from Miidera, in defending the Byodoin. Despite the monks' having torn up the planks of the bridge leading to the temple, the Taira managed to break through the defenses, and take the temple. Minamoto no Yorimasa's ritual suicide by seppuku is the earliest recorded instance of a samurai's suicide in the face of defeat. 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 First Battle of Uji is famous & important for having opened the Gempei Wars. ... 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 sōhei Benkei with Minamoto no Yoshitsune Sohei (僧兵), lit. ... Miidera (三井寺), also called Onjouji (園城寺), is a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Mount Hiei, just outside the town of Otsu, in Shiga Prefecture. ... 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. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Seppuku with ritual attire and second. ...

See also

• Seiwa Genji

The Seiwa Genji (清和源氏) were the most successful and powerful of the many branch families of the Minamoto clan. ...

References

Sansom, George (1958). 'A History of Japan to 1334.' Stanford, California: Standford University Press. pp 278-9.