Heiji facts for kids
The Heiji (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)) was a special time period in Japanese history. It was a Japanese era name (called nengō) that came after the Hōgen era and before the Eiryaku era.
This short period lasted from April 1159 to January 1160. During this time, the emperor of Japan was Emperor Nijō.
Contents
Important Events of the Heiji Era
The Heiji era was very short but important because of a big event.
- January 23, 1159 (Heiji 1, the 3rd day of the 1st month): Emperor Nijō made a formal visit to his father. This was an important event for the royal family.
- January 19 – May 5, 1159 (Heiji 1, 9th-26th day of the 12th month): A major conflict happened called the Heiji Rebellion. It is also known as the "Heiji Insurrection" or the "Heiji War." This was a fight between powerful samurai families who wanted more control in Japan.
The Heiji Rebellion Explained
The Heiji Rebellion was a quick and violent fight for power. Two very strong samurai families, the Minamoto clan and the Taira clan, were rivals. They both wanted to be the most powerful group in Japan and have influence over the emperor.
The rebellion started when the Minamoto clan tried to take control while the Taira clan's leader, Taira no Kiyomori, was away from the capital city. However, Kiyomori quickly returned and defeated the Minamoto forces. This battle was a big win for the Taira clan and helped them become even more powerful in Japan for a while.
The Tale of Heiji
The story of this era is told in a famous Japanese book called the Tale of Heiji. This book is about the brave samurai who fought in the Heiji Rebellion.
The Tale of Heiji is one of three important war stories from this time. The other two are the Tale of Hōgen and Tale of Heike. Together, these three tales describe the rise and fall of the Minamoto clan and the Taira clan, showing how they gained and lost power in Japan.
Related pages
- Heian period
- National Diet Library, "The Japanese Calendar" -- historical overview plus illustrative images from library's collection
