Changes

*''Died: [[1181]]''

*''Died: [[1181]]''

*''Japanese'': [[平]]清盛 ''(Taira no Kiyomori)''

*''Japanese'': [[平]]清盛 ''(Taira no Kiyomori)''

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.

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]]'').

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.  

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]].

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.

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.

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.

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==References==

==References==

*Helen McCullough trans., ''The Tale of the Heike'', Stanford University Press (1990), 3-4.  

*Helen McCullough trans., ''The Tale of the Heike'', Stanford University Press (1990), 3-4.  

[[Category:Samurai]]

[[Category:Samurai]]

[[Category:Heian Period]]

[[Category:Heian Period]]