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The ''Tale of the Heike'', or ''Heike monogatari'', is among the most famous of the ''[[gunki monogatari]]'' epic "war tales." Developed out of oral traditions, and in particular the storytelling tradition of the traveling ''[[biwa hoshi|biwa hôshi]]'', the ''Tale'' is extant today in a number of differing written versions, ranging in length and style, many of them with variant titles and varying content, ranging as well in date, from the 13th century through today. In general, however, the ''Tale'' relates a dramatized, fictionalized, account of the fall of the [[Taira clan]] in the late 12th century, with much of the text describing the events of the [[Genpei War]].  

The ''Tale of the Heike'', or ''Heike monogatari'', is among the most famous of the ''[[gunki monogatari]]'' epic "war tales." Developed out of oral traditions, and in particular the storytelling tradition of the traveling ''[[biwa hoshi|biwa hôshi]]'', the ''Tale'' is extant today in a number of differing written versions, ranging in length and style, many of them with variant titles and varying content, ranging as well in date, from the 13th century through today. In general, however, the ''Tale'' relates a dramatized, fictionalized, account of the fall of the [[Taira clan]] in the late 12th century, with much of the text describing the events of the [[Genpei War]].  

Whatever its origin, all extant versions of the tale seem to be related to, or derived from, one another; multiple versions are known to have been in circulation by the end of the 13th century, but if any dramatically differing versions existed, they are not extant today. The versions today considered most typical, or most characteristic, are of middling length, date to the 14th-15th centuries, and are records of versions related orally by the ''biwa hôshi'' performers. The version perhaps most widely considered standard is that derived from one recorded by a ''biwa hôshi'' named [[Kakuichi]] in [[1371]]; generations of ''biwa hôshi'' memorized and recited Kakuichi's version of the tale, passing it down through the tradition. This version of the tale has also been used as the basis for many modern translations.

Whatever its origin, all extant versions of the tale seem to be related to, or derived from, one another; multiple versions are known to have been in circulation by the end of the 13th century, but if any dramatically differing versions existed, they are not extant today. The versions today considered most typical, or most characteristic, are of middling length, date to the 14th-15th centuries, and are records of versions related orally by the ''biwa hôshi'' performers. The version perhaps most widely considered standard is that derived from one recorded by a ''biwa hôshi'' named [[Kakuichi]] in [[1371]]; generations of ''biwa hôshi'' memorized and recited Kakuichi's version of the tale, passing it down through the tradition. This version of the tale, known as the Kakuichi-bon ("Kakuichi Book" or "Kakuichi Text") has also been used as the basis for many modern translations.

Though the ''biwa hôshi'' tradition declined after the [[Onin War|Ônin War]] ([[1467]]-[[1477]]), eclipsed by other performance forms, the ''Heike'' has remained extremely prominent in Japanese traditional performing arts, and literature. The majority of [[Noh]] plays in the category of "warrior plays" are based on episodes from the ''Heike'', as are the majority of extant ''[[kowakamai|kôwakamai]]'' ballads, and numerous ''[[ningyo joruri|jôruri]]'' puppet plays and [[kabuki]] plays, as well as contemporary novels and [[NHK Taiga drama]] television programs.

Though the ''biwa hôshi'' tradition declined after the [[Onin War|Ônin War]] ([[1467]]-[[1477]]), eclipsed by other performance forms, the ''Heike'' has remained extremely prominent in Japanese traditional performing arts, and literature. The majority of [[Noh]] plays in the category of "warrior plays" are based on episodes from the ''Heike'', as are the majority of extant ''[[kowakamai|kôwakamai]]'' ballads, and numerous ''[[ningyo joruri|jôruri]]'' puppet plays and [[kabuki]] plays, as well as contemporary novels and [[NHK Taiga drama]] television programs.