Apr 28 (The Shogunate) - The Genpei War comes to its epic conclusion as Minamoto no Yoritomo faces off against not only the remaining Taira forces but also his own cousin who steps forth to oppose him. The dawn of a new era of samurai rule is at hand.
The Genpei War (1180–1185) began when Taira no Kiyomori used his power to install his grandson, Emperor Antoku, on the throne, sparking rebellion by the rival Minamoto clan. After Kiyomori’s death in 1181, Japan was divided between the weakened Taira and the resurgent Minamoto.
By 1183, although a famine had stalled fighting, the Minamoto, led by Minamoto no Yoritomo, were strengthening their position in the east. Meanwhile, internal tensions within the Minamoto clan emerged, particularly between Yoritomo and his cousin Minamoto no Yoshinaka. Despite pledging loyalty to Yoritomo, Yoshinaka sought greater power for himself.
In 1183, Yoshinaka decisively defeated the Taira at the Battle of Kurikara, causing the Taira to flee Kyoto with Emperor Antoku and the Imperial Regalia. Yoshinaka entered Kyoto but alienated the court with his rough behavior, and his inability to maintain order led to growing resentment.
At the same time, the Taira regrouped in western Japan and counterattacked, defeating Yoshinaka’s forces at Mizushima. Meanwhile, the retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa shifted his support to Yoritomo, further isolating Yoshinaka. Yoritomo then dispatched his brothers, including the famous Minamoto no Yoshitsune, to confront Yoshinaka, who was eventually defeated and killed in 1184.
Yoshitsune emerged as a brilliant general, defeating the Taira at the Battle of Ichinotani, and later at Yashima through daring raids. Finally, the Genpei War culminated in the famous Battle of Dan-no-ura (1185), a massive naval clash where the Minamoto destroyed the Taira fleet. Emperor Antoku drowned with many Taira nobles, marking the complete collapse of the Taira.
With victory secured, Minamoto no Yoritomo became Japan’s most powerful figure, setting the stage for the foundation of the Kamakura shogunate and the rise of samurai rule. However, tensions between Yoritomo and Yoshitsune foreshadowed future internal conflicts.
