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| + | [[File:Ondo-kiyomori.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Statue of Kiyomori at Ondo, [[Kure]] City, [[Hiroshima prefecture]]]] |
| + | *''Born: [[1118]]'' |
| *''Died: [[1181]]'' | | *''Died: [[1181]]'' |
| + | *''Titles: [[Daijo Daijin|Daijô Daijin]]'' |
| + | *''Other Names: [[Jokai|Jôkai]]'' |
| *''Japanese'': [[平]]清盛 ''(Taira no Kiyomori)'' | | *''Japanese'': [[平]]清盛 ''(Taira no Kiyomori)'' |
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| Kiyomori was the son of [[Taira no Tadamori]] and grandson of [[Taira no Masamori]], who served as "close retainers" (''kinshin'') within the "cloistered court" (''in-no-chô'') of Retired Emperors [[Emperor Shirakawa|Shirakawa]] and [[Emperor Toba|Toba]]. As a result, even from the young age of 12, Kiyomori already began to receive special preference in court rank and official positions. | | Kiyomori was the son of [[Taira no Tadamori]] and grandson of [[Taira no Masamori]], who served as "close retainers" (''kinshin'') within the "cloistered court" (''in-no-chô'') of Retired Emperors [[Emperor Shirakawa|Shirakawa]] and [[Emperor Toba|Toba]]. As a result, even from the young age of 12, Kiyomori already began to receive special preference in court rank and official positions. |
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− | Along [[Minamoto no Yoshitomo]], he led Emperor Shirakawa's forces to victory in the [[Hogen Disturbance|Hôgen Disturbance]] of [[1156]], and then led the Taira clan to victory again in [[1159]], crushing Yoshitomo, who had become his rival for power, in the [[Heiji Disturbance]]. Through both of these victories, Kiyomori gained and then secured considerable power, becoming one of the "senior nobles" (''[[kugyo|kugyô]]'') by [[1160]], and ''[[daijo daijin|daijô daijin]]'' ("Chancellor of the Realm") in [[1167]], flying up through the ranks without even passing through the positions of Minister of the Left and of the Right (''[[Sadaijin]]'' and ''[[Udaijin]]''). | + | Along [[Minamoto no Yoshitomo]], he led [[Emperor Go-Shirakawa|Emperor Go-Shirakawa's]] forces to victory in the [[Hogen Disturbance|Hôgen Disturbance]] of [[1156]], and then led the Taira clan to victory again in [[1159]], crushing Yoshitomo, who had become his rival for power, in the [[Heiji Disturbance]]. Through both of these victories, Kiyomori gained and then secured considerable power, becoming one of the "senior nobles" (''[[kugyo|kugyô]]'') by [[1160]], and ''[[daijo daijin|daijô daijin]]'' ("Chancellor of the Realm") in [[1167]], flying up through the ranks without even passing through the positions of Minister of the Left and of the Right (''[[Sadaijin]]'' and ''[[Udaijin]]''). |
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− | He further secured his elite position by marrying the sister of [[Kenshunmon-in]], a favored consort of [[Emperor Go-Shirakawa]]; this also made him uncle (by marriage) to [[Emperor Takakura]]. One of Kiyomori's daughters, who would later be known as [[Kenreimon-in]], became a consort to Takakura, while other daughters of Kiyomori were married to prominent members of the Fujiwara clan. | + | He further secured his elite position by marrying the sister of [[Kenshunmon-in]], a favored consort of Emperor Go-Shirakawa; this also made him uncle (by marriage) to [[Emperor Takakura]]. One of Kiyomori's daughters, who would later be known as [[Kenreimon-in]], became a consort to Takakura, while other daughters of Kiyomori were married to prominent members of the Fujiwara clan. |
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| Kiyomori is also associated with a number of prominent religious and cultural establishments. After becoming governor of [[Aki province]], he oversaw the reconstruction of [[Itsukushima Shrine]]; the shrine would continue to bear a connection to the Taira clan down through the centuries, and holds in its collections a precious set of [[sutra|sutras]] formerly owned by, or penned by, Kiyomori and his relatives, known as the ''[[Heike Nokyo|Heike Nôkyô]]''. Kiyomori was also involved in the construction of the [[Sanjusangendo|Sanjûsangendô]] in Kyoto, which was completed in [[1164]]. | | Kiyomori is also associated with a number of prominent religious and cultural establishments. After becoming governor of [[Aki province]], he oversaw the reconstruction of [[Itsukushima Shrine]]; the shrine would continue to bear a connection to the Taira clan down through the centuries, and holds in its collections a precious set of [[sutra|sutras]] formerly owned by, or penned by, Kiyomori and his relatives, known as the ''[[Heike Nokyo|Heike Nôkyô]]''. Kiyomori was also involved in the construction of the [[Sanjusangendo|Sanjûsangendô]] in Kyoto, which was completed in [[1164]]. |
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− | Kiyomori fell ill in [[1168]] and formally retired from official service; he retained considerable power and influence, however. | + | Kiyomori fell ill in [[1168]] and formally retired from official service; he took the [[tonsure]], becoming a lay-monk and taking the name Jôkai. He retained considerable power and influence, however. |
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| A small group plotted to overthrow Kiyomori in [[1177]], in what has come to be called the [[Shishigatani Incident]]. Their plot was discovered before it was even attempted, however, and those involved were either executed or exiled. | | A small group plotted to overthrow Kiyomori in [[1177]], in what has come to be called the [[Shishigatani Incident]]. Their plot was discovered before it was even attempted, however, and those involved were either executed or exiled. |
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| Kiyomori died the following year, leaving his sons and grandsons to lead the clan in the war against the Minamoto. | | Kiyomori died the following year, leaving his sons and grandsons to lead the clan in the war against the Minamoto. |
| {{stub}} | | {{stub}} |
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| + | ==Legacy== |
| + | Numerous monuments, memorials, and historical markers associated with Kiyomori can be found across Japan. Some areas, such as the Ondo neighborhood within [[Kure]] City, [[Hiroshima prefecture]], honor Kiyomori with annual festivals. The Ondo Kiyomori Matsuri celebrates his construction efforts in the [[Inland Sea]], and though it originated in ''[[nenbutsu odori]]'' dances meant to appease the spirit of Kiyomori, the festival eventually came to incorporate a reenactment of an [[Edo period]] ''[[sankin kotai|sankin kôtai]]'' daimyô procession as well.<ref>Gallery labels, Ondo Kankô Bunka Kaikan Uzushio tourist information center, Ondo, Kure, Hiroshima.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/36892017951/sizes/k/]</ref> |
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
− | *Helen McCullough trans., ''The Tale of the Heike'', 3-4. | + | *Helen McCullough trans., ''The Tale of the Heike'', Stanford University Press (1990), 3-4. |
| + | <references/> |
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| [[Category:Samurai]] | | [[Category:Samurai]] |
| [[Category:Heian Period]] | | [[Category:Heian Period]] |