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(or Heishi), 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 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.

Minamoto victory was followed by the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate; though Minamoto no Yoritomo was not the first to ever hold the title of Shogun, he was the first to wield it as a role of actual power over all Japan. The end of the Genpei War and beginning of the Kamakura shogunate marks the rise of military (samurai) power and the suppression of the power of the Emperor, who did not regain true command of the nation until the Meiji Restoration, over 650 years later.

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. Minamoto Yoritomo wins the fight but Kiyamoro retreats.
• 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 but retreat.
• 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 Mizushima - the Taira intercept a Minamoto force, heading for Yashima.
• 1183 Siege of Fukuryuji - the Minamoto attack a Taira fortress.
• 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.

• 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.

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

• List of wars
• Military history of Japan
• Genpei War Map^*

References

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

Feudal Japan | Genpei War | Wars of Japan

Gempei-Krieg | Guerre de Gempei | 治承・寿永の乱 | 源平合戰