Who was this person?
A late-Heian warrior who won the Hōgen and Heiji disturbances and became the first warrior to serve as Grand Minister. He married his daughter Tokuko to Emperor Takakura and put his grandson Antoku on the throne, bringing the Taira to their height. He developed Ōwada port for trade with Song China and was devoted to Itsukushima Shrine.
| Name | Taira no Kiyomori (平清盛) |
|---|---|
| Born–died | 1118 – 1181 |
| Period | Late Heian |
| Also known as | Heishōkoku, Jōkai (monastic name) |
| Main achievements |
|
Born a son of Taira no Tadamori of the Ise Taira (some say a son of retired Emperor Shirakawa). His father rose serving the retired emperor, a warrior entering aristocratic ranks.
At 11 he received aristocratic court rank, astonishingly early for a warrior's son.
He became governor of Aki (Hiroshima), began deeply revering Itsukushima Shrine, guardian of the Inland Sea, and turned his eyes to sea routes and trade with Song China.
When his father Tadamori died, the 35-year-old became head of the Taira clan.
In the Hōgen Rebellion, a conflict between the emperor and retired emperor joined by Fujiwara and warriors, he sided with Emperor Go-Shirakawa and won. Warrior power had decided a court struggle.
While he was on pilgrimage to Kumano, Minamoto no Yoshitomo rose up; Kiyomori rushed back, defeated him and became the foremost warrior. At the plea of his stepmother Ike no Zenni, he spared Yoshitomo's son Yoritomo and exiled him to Izu the next year.
Praying for his clan's prosperity, he dedicated the lavishly decorated sutras known as the Heike Nōkyō to Itsukushima Shrine.
He became the first warrior to hold the highest court post, Grand Minister (leaving it after about three months). His clan filled high offices, and The Tale of the Heike says it was claimed, "Those not of the Taira are not human."
A grave illness led him to take Buddhist vows. Thereafter he directed affairs from his villa at Fukuhara (Kobe).
His daughter Tokuko became consort of Emperor Takakura, tying him closely to the imperial house and strengthening his power just as the Fujiwara had done.
He improved the port of Ōwada no Tomari (now Kobe) and promoted trade with Song China; Song coins and goods poured into Japan.
A plot by retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa's close aides to overthrow the Taira was exposed. Kiyomori punished those involved severely, souring relations with the retired emperor.
He marched into the capital, halted Go-Shirakawa's cloistered rule and confined him (Coup of 1179). The Taira took control of court government.
He enthroned his grandson Antoku and moved the capital to Fukuhara, but strong opposition forced a return to Kyoto after about six months. That year, answering Prince Mochihito's call, Yoritomo and Minamoto across the land rose up. At year's end Taira no Shigehira burned Tōdai-ji and Kōfuku-ji in Nara.
Racked by high fever, he died at 63. The Tale of the Heike says his last wish was for Yoritomo's head to be laid before his grave. Four years later the Taira perished at Dan-no-ura. "The bell of the Gion Shōja echoes the impermanence of all things."
A. A late-Heian warrior who won the Hōgen and Heiji disturbances and became the first warrior to serve as Grand Minister. He married his daughter Tokuko to Emperor Takakura and put his grandson Antoku on the throne, bringing the Taira to their height. He developed Ōwada port for trade with Song China and was devoted to Itsukushima Shrine.
A. Period: Late Heian. Born in 1118, died in 1181.
A. Trade with Song China. Kiyomori improved Ōwada port (part of today’s Kobe harbour) and imported Song coins, ceramics and books, making the trade a major source of Taira wealth.
See also: Wikipedia (ja) / Wikipedia (en) / Wikipedia (fr) / Wikipedia (zh) / Wikidata
Follow this life (autoplay)Sakanoue no TamuramaroSaichōKūkaiSugawara no MichizaneSei ShōnagonFujiwara no MichinagaMurasaki ShikibuFujiwara no Yorimichi
People of the Heian period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.