Chapter 6: The Genpei War

Ping Weisheng and others fled back to Kyoto in a disheveled state, and the people of Kyoto composed songs to mock them, saying: "The rushing waters of the Fuji River cannot match the legs of the Ise Taira clan." However, Minamoto no Yoritomo did not pursue them in victory; his vision was far-reaching. He recognized that he was about to face not only the enemy Taira clan but also a chaotic situation with many warlords rising. He understood that only by taking advantage of the Taira army's retreat to strengthen his base in Kanto could he stand out in the impending struggle for supremacy. Thus, he retreated to his stronghold in Kamakura, Sagami, and began to construct a new system of samurai governance.

Battle of Ujigawa

The commander of the defensive forces at Suicheng, Zhai Mingwei, was a fence-sitter. Seeing the strength of the Ping clan, he wrote a letter, tied it to an arrow, and shot it into the enemy camp, informing them of the location of the artificial lake's dam and expressing his willingness to act as an informant for the imperial army. Ping Weisheng was overjoyed upon receiving the letter, and secretly dispatched skilled soldiers to dig open the dam, draining the lake's water. With the assistance of Zhai Mingwei, they breached the city. The remnants of the Muko forces retreated towards Kaga, while the Ping army took the opportunity to capture Lincheng and Togashi Castle. At this point, Ping Weisheng envisioned a glorious future for both the war and himself, and immediately wrote a letter boasting of their achievements, sending it swiftly to the capital. In no time, Ping Zongseng and the entire Ping clan were filled with joy and excitement, believing that peace was soon to be restored in the realm.

This event took place in April of the fourth year of Jicheng (1180). In the same month, during the Battle of Shiqiao Mountain, Minamoto no Yoritomo faced off against the 3,000 troops led by the Taira general Ōtō Kiyomori with only 300 mounted warriors, resulting in a complete defeat of his forces. He barely survived by fleeing into the mountains. However, Yoritomo did not become discouraged; he moved south to the province of Awa to reorganize his troops and gradually gathered the strength of the surrounding powerful clans, showing signs of a resurgence. To eliminate this threat, in August of that year, Taira no Kiyomori dispatched his grandson Taira no Munemori and his son Taira no Tomomori to lead an army of 20,000 to launch an attack.

On the 10th day of the 3rd month in the first year of Shōei (1182), an army of 30,000 Taira, led by the left guard commander Taira no Kiyomori, annihilated 3,000 careless Genji troops crossing the river on the western bank of the Owari River, achieving a minor victory. Consequently, the morale of the Taira revived, and in September of that year, they ordered the newly appointed Echigo governor, Taira no Nagamochi, to campaign against Kiso Yoshinaka.

Yoshitsune later wandered to Hiraizumi in Mutsu. At this time, the ruler of the vast northeastern territory of Japan was Fujiwara Hidehira, a descendant of Fujiwara Kiyohira. He expanded his wealth by relying on newly developed gold mines and wavered between the Minamoto and Taira clans, refusing to take a clear stance. Upon arriving in Mutsu, Yoshitsune was said to have received a warm welcome from Fujiwara Hidehira, who even sent him the esteemed Sato brothers (Saburobe Yoshinobu and Shirobe Tadanobu) as his loyal retainers.

The warfare model during Japan's Heian period was quite rigid, and the equipment was rather simple. Generally, the army was composed mainly of a large number of mounted or foot soldiers known as samurai. These samurai donned ornate full armor or relatively rough do-maru, wielding weapons such as short-handled tachi or long-handled tanto and naginata. They would first engage in archery before clashing in close combat. Accompanying the samurai were their retainers and a small number of farmers temporarily gathered from the territory, all of whom were foot soldiers. They wore rudimentary armor that only protected the front and back of the torso, went barefoot, and followed their masters into battle.

From Ichinok谷 to Taninok浦

Certainly, the old noble courtiers would not willingly allow these rough and unrefined warriors to rise above them. They exerted great effort to overthrow the Taira regime. Against this backdrop, on the 27th day of the 7th month in the 1st year of Eiman (1165), Emperor Nijō passed away, and the tensions between the southern capital and the northern mountains escalated, ultimately leading to a significant upheaval

Under the planning of Yoshitsune, Commander Kageyama led an army of 60,000 to create a show of force, feigning a frontal assault on Ichinok谷 to attract the enemy's attention. Meanwhile, Yoshitsune, accompanied by 500 light cavalry, ventured into the rugged mountains of Tanba. Guided by the locals, he discovered a difficult mountain path extending over 300 ri, directly penetrating the rear of Ichinok谷—however, this was not the entirety of Yoshitsune's brilliant strategy.

From then on, the tragic tale of Dunsong's martyrdom and Kumagaya's renunciation became a poignant story passed down among the people, sung everywhere. The Japanese even named a type of orchid "Dunsong Grass," referring to it as the "Flower of Dreams within Dreams." Dunsong Grass comes in various colors and has many varieties, including Cloth Bag Dunsong, Princess Dunsong, No-Kettle Dunsong, White Flower Dunsong, Yellow Flower Dunsong, and many others. Dunsong Grass is a gradually rare protected plant, and it has similar forms such as Kumagaya Grass and Little Dunsong Grass. It is said to be named for its shape resembling the mother garment of Dunsong and Kumagaya Naomasa, which dances in the wind (similar to a cloak, with corners tied to armor, billowing in the wind like a ball, capable of deflecting arrows)

On the 28th, Yizhong entered the capital and liberated the Later Hakuhō-in. The Later Hakuhō-in was overjoyed and immediately appointed Yizhong as the General of the Morning Sun, granting him fiefs for the future (which were later changed to Iyo at Yizhong's suggestion). His subordinates also received generous rewards. A month later, the Later Hakuhō-in decided to establish his fourth son, who was still in the capital, as Emperor Toba.

In ancient Japan, there exists a renowned lengthy war novel titled "The Tale of the Heike," which primarily narrates the decline of the Taira clan and the rise of the Minamoto clan. The author of this novel is unknown, and its language and style are heavily infused with the essence of oral literature, likely adapted from the singing scripts of the "biwa hoshi" (blind monk performers who accompany their recitations with the biwa)

Zhi Shi jumped off his horse and subdued the defeated opponent, intending to behead him. However, upon lifting the helmet, he discovered that the opponent was merely a youth, remarkably handsome and still bearing the innocence of childhood. Zhi Shi could not bring himself to strike, so he inquired about the youth's name. The youth replied, "If you take my head back, someone will surely recognize me." Zhi Shi thought to himself, "This person seems to be about the same age as my son, Ko Jiro. If Ko Jiro were to suffer even a minor injury, I would feel distressed. If I were to kill this child, how sorrowful would his parents be! In any case, whether I kill this one person or not, the outcome of the battle will remain unchanged. It is better to let him go."

After temporarily stabilizing the situation in the rear, Kiso Yoshinaka advanced westward in full force, heading towards the capital. In April of the second year of Shōei (1183), the Taira clan hastily gathered troops from Kansai and appointed six generals, including General Komatsu Taira no Koremori, Echizen no Kami Taira no Tomomori, Tajima no Kami Taira no Kiyomasa, Satsuma no Kami Taira no Tadakazu, Mikawa no Kami Taira no Tomokazu, and Awaji no Kami Taira no Kiyofusa, as the supreme commander, leading over three hundred and forty subordinates and commanding more than one hundred thousand troops, marching grandly towards the northern territories to confront Kiso's army

It is said that an interesting incident occurred during a conflict when Yoshitsune, while commanding his troops, accidentally dropped his bamboo bow into the water. Upon realizing this, he was greatly alarmed and desperately tried to retrieve it with his hands. His subordinates were puzzled as to why the great general valued this bow so highly. Eventually, Yoshitsune, with a flushed face, revealed the truth: "This bow is quite soft, and if the enemy were to find it, they would surely mock me." However, at that time, Japanese bows were mostly made of bent bamboo and were not true composite bows; even if they were harder, their range and strength could not compare to the crossbows of the mainland.

In the "Tale of the Heike," when recounting the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani, there is a story that goes as follows: In the Genji camp, there was a fierce warrior named Kumagai Jiro Naosuke. On the night before the great battle, he suddenly heard a beautiful flute melody coming from the enemy camp. Upon listening intently, he could not help but exclaim in admiration: "I did not expect that there would be such a refined person in the Heike camp, calmly playing the flute before the battle, and the sound of the flute is clear and enchanting, showing no signs of muddiness or disorder."

Those monks, who are named as practitioners of fasting and chanting the Buddha's name, yet actually wield swords and spears, and are greedy for wealth and lust, certainly cannot be the match for the Heike warriors. However, the remnants of the Genji clan, lying in wait in the eastern lands, were inspired by this and, having received the imperial decree of the Nio, also began to stir restlessly.

At that time, the greatest powers of the Genji were Kiso Yoshinaka of Shinano and Minamoto no Yoritomo of Izu. Yoritomo was the son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, who was executed during the Heiji Rebellion. After Yoshitomo's death, the thirteen-year-old Yoritomo was captured and exiled to Izu Province, where he was held under the supervision of the powerful Hojo clan's Hojo Tokimasa. However, as Yoritomo grew into adulthood, Tokimasa, recognizing the exceptional abilities and lofty ambitions of this noble prisoner, married his daughter, Hojo Masako, to him, secretly colluding with him. After receiving the order to campaign against the Taira clan, Yoritomo first raised the banner of rebellion, and with the support of his father-in-law, he united the forces of nearby clans and marched westward.

After a fierce battle, all three of Yichong's cavalrymen were killed, leaving only Imai Kaneyasu. The two fought back to back until they were utterly exhausted. In the end, Yichong decided to take his own life, and under the cover of Imai Kaneyasu, he entered the nearby Kuritsu Pine Forest. Imai Kaneyasu stood guard outside, displaying remarkable prowess, as he drew out eight feathered arrows and shot down eight enemy warriors in succession. The enemy, seeing this formidable general who resembled a lion, dared not advance any further. However, within the Kuritsu Pine Forest, Yichong unfortunately fell into a muddy pit along with his horse, and was ultimately shot and beheaded by the enemy general Ishida Motohisa, who had circled around Imai. Upon seeing his lord's head outside, Kaneyasu was filled with despair and chose to take his own life in bitterness.

In the second year of the Genryaku era (1185), in early February, Yoshitsune arrived at the front lines. After meticulous planning, on a night of fierce winds and heavy rain, he personally led three hundred brave warriors aboard five warships, braving the storm to land at the victory port of Shikoku, directly advancing towards Ukishima. As dawn broke amidst the thick fog, Yoshitsune raised the white banner of the Minamoto clan and shouted as he charged into the enemy camp. The Heike warriors were completely unprepared for an attack on such a perilous day, and in their panic, they trampled over one another, hastily seizing boats to escape— in reality, the attacking force consisted solely of Yoshitsune's three hundred men, while the more than two hundred other ships that were supposed to coordinate the attack were blown off course to Awa and could not join the battle.

However, the former Emperor Go-Shirakawa wished to restore the regency, yet he faced the formidable Kiso Yoshinaka, who had completely seized power in the capital. Go-Shirakawa still found it difficult to escape the fate of being a puppet. Yoshinaka, having control over the imperial family, was exceedingly arrogant, and his subordinates were undisciplined. Coupled with a lack of supplies, he committed acts of arson, murder, and plunder throughout Kyoto, resulting in a very poor public foundation. On the other hand, Yoshinaka, once in power, neither provided any benefits to the court nobles nor offered any advantages to the local clans, leading to widespread distrust and scrutiny from both the court and the populace.

Let us return to the battle on the banks of the Uji River. Although the river was swollen and the waves were tumultuous that day, it could not dampen the spirits of the valiant warriors of the Eastern Country. The renowned generals of the Kanto region under Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Sasaki Takayasu and Kajiwara Kagesue, were the first to spur their famous steeds, "Tsumekiri" and "Namashiki," into the icy, biting waters. Inspired by this, the Minamoto army also plunged into the raging current, braving the rain of arrows as they desperately charged towards the opposite bank. In an instant, the Uji River was alive with armor of various colors, as if spring had arrived early with flowers competing in their splendor.

Taira no Kiyomori was the son of Taira no Tadamori of the Ise Taira clan. It is said that Emperor Shirakawa once bestowed his favored lady, the Jigen no Nyogo, upon Tadamori, saying, "If she bears a daughter, she is mine; if she bears a son, he is yours." Shortly thereafter, the Jigen no Nyogo gave birth to Taira no Kiyomori, leading to rumors at the time that Kiyomori was the illegitimate son of Emperor Shirakawa

In the end, only over 20,000 Heike soldiers were able to return alive to Kyoto. In Heian-kyo, every household was in mourning, and the streets were filled with orphans and widows, their wails echoing through the air. The Heike clan was plunged into the depths of sorrow, for they knew that they could no longer muster a respectable army again

Kiso Yoshinaka was a renowned general during the late Heian period and is also regarded as the greatest roughneck in the history of Japan

It is said that Kiso Yoshinaka quickly occupied the entire Shinano Province, with his military strength at its peak. The Taira warriors suffered repeated defeats, losing all their strongholds. Thus, caught in internal strife and external difficulties, Taira Kiyomori fell ill from anger and ultimately passed away in April of the fifth year of Jishō (1181). The position of the head of the Taira clan was inherited by his second son, Taira Munemori, a figure widely regarded as an incompetent successor.

At this point, the valiant Kiso Yoshinaka, who once commanded great renown akin to Xiang Yu, yet met a tragic end similar to that of Xiang Yu, vanished into the dust. The forces of Yoshinaka, scattered far and wide, disbanded like birds and beasts, and Minamoto no Yoritomo's power officially took control of the capital.

Yichong was originally the son of Yoshichika, the brother of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and a cousin of Minamoto no Yoritomo. Yoshichika was killed by Yoritomo's elder brother, Yoshitune, during a family feud. From a young age, Yichong was sent to be raised by Nakahara Kanemoto in the Kiso region of Shinano. It is said that he was able to draw a strong bow and ride a poor horse, displaying extraordinary bravery. Upon learning of Yoritomo's uprising, he performed the rite of coming of age, styled his hair in a topknot before Hachiman, and took the name Kiso Yichong, subsequently raising his banner. The local samurai lords in Shinano had always respected his martial prowess, and thus, when he called upon them, they quickly rallied to form a formidable army.

Upon hearing the news that his elder brother Minamoto no Yoritomo was raising an army in Izu, Yoshitsune, who was far away in Hiraizumi, could no longer remain seated. The young man's heart seemed to boil with fervor. Thus, he bid farewell to Fujiwara no Hidehira, took with him a dozen or so retainers, and after enduring various hardships, finally met Yoritomo at the Kōsaka River—this meeting became a celebrated event in later generations.

Although this coup failed, a fierce fire was ignited, quickly transforming into a raging force. In October of that year, 7,000 warrior monks from temples such as Nara's Hōfuku and Hannya dug up roads and constructed fortifications to resist the Taira clan. Taira Kiyomori dispatched his son, General Taira no Shigehira, leading 40,000 infantry and cavalry, who split into two routes and swiftly flattened the monks' fortifications, ultimately burning down the temples.

The conflict between the Minamoto and Taira clans involved distinguishing between enemy and ally forces by habitually raising flags of different colors. The Minamoto clan's flag was white, while the Taira clan's flag was red. Inoue Mitsumori's strategy was to divide his troops into seven units overnight, each carrying the red flags of the Taira and the white flags of the Minamoto, and to set an ambush on the mountains near Yokotagawa.

This Eastern Expeditionary Force gathered troops along the route, and by the time they reached the Qingjian Pass of the Junhe Kingdom, their strength had reached 70,000. In October of that year, the Genpei armies faced each other in formation at the Fuji River. Minamoto no Yoritomo dispatched the general Takeda Nobuyoshi to lead a surprise attack at night, encircling the enemy from behind. As the Takeda troops passed through the Fuji Marsh, they startled a flock of waterfowl gathered in the marsh, causing them to take flight and quack incessantly. Ironically, the morale of the Taira army was low; upon hearing the quacking, they not only failed to become alert but mistakenly believed that the enemy was attacking from behind, resulting in a chaotic retreat.

Yoshitomo and Yoshitsune were defeated, allowing Kiso Yoshinaka to enter Kyoto. However, the situation at that time was far from optimistic, as the Taira clan was regrouping, and tens of thousands of their formidable troops were advancing from the west. Yoshitomo was ordered to lead the army into battle and encountered the vanguard of the Taira clan, consisting of three thousand troops led by Taira no Kiyomori, Taira no Tadamori, Taira no Yoshimori, and Taira no Masamori, at the intersection of Harima and Tanba at Mount Mikasa. Upon seeing the enemy camped and ready for battle, Yoshitomo also established a camp, preparing to engage them the next day. However, Yoshitsune took advantage of the enemy's complacency and launched a surprise attack that night, annihilating over five hundred of the enemy troops, severely damaging their morale and forcing them to retreat to the Ichinokawa fortress, where they no longer dared to emerge.

Taira no Kiyomori's career was almost smooth sailing. At the age of 12, he was promoted to the rank of Junior Fifth Rank and appointed as the Left Commander of the Imperial Guards. At 18, due to his contributions in assisting his father, Tadamori, in the campaign against pirates, he was promoted to Junior Fourth Rank. By 19, he held the position of Minister of the Interior, and at 20, he concurrently served as the Governor of Higo and Hō. At 29, he was elevated to the rank of Senior Fourth Rank and appointed as the Governor of Aki. After the Hōgen Rebellion, he successively held the positions of Governor of Harima, Deputy of Dazaifu, Councilor, and Director of the Right Guards, ultimately ascending to the high office of Chancellor, becoming a warrior who led the court nobles, a feat unprecedented in history.

At this moment, a messenger from the source of the Yamaguchi clan, led by Shihōzan with ten thousand soldiers, came to request urgent assistance from Kiso Yoshinaka against the advancing forces of the Taira clan. Upon receiving the news, Yoshinaka immediately selected twenty thousand soldiers from his forty thousand troops and rushed towards Shihōzan. It seemed as if divine spirits were indeed protecting Yoshinaka; when the army reached the Hirabikawa crossing, even the usually turbulent river had become shallow and calm, allowing the troops to cross safely. In the direction of Shihōzan, the Yamaguchi clan's forces were enduring a fierce assault from thirty thousand Taira troops. Upon seeing this, Yoshinaka, with his two thousand iron cavalry who had not yet calmed down from their great victory in the Kurikara Valley, charged into the enemy ranks. The Taira forces, who had already been engaged in fierce battle for a day, were struck hard by this Asura-like army, leading to a complete rout, and even the commander of the unified forces, Taira no Chikadō, was killed amidst the chaos.

After Kiso Yoshinaka entered Kyoto, he did not pursue the victory, which provided the Taira clan with a chance to catch their breath. The Taira family fled to Kyushu, gradually eliminating the local feudal lords who opposed them, and regained control over Kyushu, Shikoku, and parts of the Kansai region. On the first day of the intercalary tenth month, the Taira clan launched a counterattack and, in several battles including those at Mizushima, utilized the advantages of their naval forces to decisively defeat Kiso Yoshinaka's troops. Upon hearing the news, Yoshinaka was furious; he ordered the garrison troops to hold their ground while he led his main forces away from Kyoto to confront the enemy. On the first day of the intercalary tenth month, the Taira clan launched a counterattack and, in several battles including those at Mizushima, utilized the advantages of their naval forces to decisively defeat Kiso Yoshinaka's troops. Upon hearing the news, Yoshinaka was furious; he ordered the garrison troops to hold their ground while he led his main forces away from Kyoto to confront the enemy

After the First World War, nearly all the Taira warriors died heroically in battle, and all the women who could not fight jumped into the sea to end their lives. Even the young Emperor Antoku was held by his wet nurse, buried at the bottom of the sea along with the sword and the seal, two of the three sacred treasures. Thus, the Taira clan, along with the splendid Heian period, was completely destroyed, marking the beginning of a long era of shogunate rule in Japanese history that lasted for seven hundred years

In order to test the naval combat capabilities of the enemy forces, on February 18, a group of Taira warriors arrived by boat at the front of the Genji troops. Among these warships was a small boat, on which stood a young beauty of about seventeen or eighteen years old, who placed a folding fan emblazoned with a golden sun on the canopy of the boat. Nasu no Yoichi, the sharpshooter from Yoshitsune's army, stepped forward and, while the boat swayed up and down, shot down the fan with an arrow. He then raised his hand and shot down a Taira general, leading to a clash between the two armies.

The Taira clan never anticipated that their treatment of Yoshitsune would cultivate an unparalleled military genius and a master of surprise tactics for the Minamoto clan. At Kurama Temple, Yoshitsune not only obtained a rare edition of the "Art of War" passed down in his family, but also encountered the swordsmanship and martial arts expert Kii Ichihōgen, from whom he learned the art of combat.

In the second year of Jinan (1167), Taira no Kiyomori resigned from his position as Prime Minister, citing illness as the reason. Six months later, he took vows and became a monk, adopting the Dharma name Seiren, which he later changed to Jōkai, commonly referred to as "Nirō Shōkoku." This Nirō Shōkoku, much like the retired emperors and cloistered emperors of the insei period, although he had relinquished his nominal official position, shaved his head, and engaged in fasting and Buddhist rituals, still refused to abandon worldly power. He left Kyoto and traveled to the Fukuhara region in Settsu Province, where he constructed new castles and a large port, on one hand accumulating wealth through trade with Song China, and on the other hand planning to establish this place as the new center of governance for all of Japan.

The Evening Bell of Juilijialuo Valley

Kiso Yoshinaka's reputation was greatly feared as he was in the Kanto region eliminating the remnants of the Taira clan. Meanwhile, Minamoto no Yoritomo, who was consolidating his power independently, felt a sense of crisis. Thus, in early March of the following year (1183), Yoritomo mobilized an army of 100,000 and sought a pretext to attack Shinano. As the Minamoto clan faced internal discord and the prospect of fratricidal conflict loomed, Yoshinaka prioritized the greater good and sent his son Yoshitaka to Kamakura as a hostage. Yoritomo was not foolish; he understood the importance of moderation and seizing opportunities, so he promptly withdrew his troops. However, the conflict between the two major Minamoto factions, Yoritomo and Yoshinaka, had already begun, making armed confrontation inevitable.

Seeing the frequent crises, Taira no Kiyomori seized the opportunity to carry out a major purge. He accused forty-three high-ranking ministers of being involved in rebellion, dismissed them from their positions, and replaced them with members of the Taira clan. From then on, almost all the court officials were affiliated with the Taira faction. The Taira clan originated from Ise, which was known for producing bottles, albeit of poor quality, suitable only for holding vinegar. As the Taira clan was composed of nouveau riche who originally had no qualifications to participate in court politics, the common people playfully coined a term based on a homophone (in Japanese, 'bottle' and 'Taira' sound similar) to mock the Taira's Rokuhara regime as the "Vinegar Bottle Court".

The Raising of Troops by Minamoto no Yoritomo

Dissatisfied with the rule of the Taira clan, not only the scattered remnants of the Minamoto clan responded to the imperial edicts of the仁王令 and the proclamations of the late Shirakawa-in, but also many local powerful families, such as the Ogata, Usuki, Hōtsu, and Matsuura in Kyushu, as well as the Kōno in Shikoku. Among these various forces, the first to emerge and deliver a fatal blow to the Taira clan was Kiso Yoshinaka from Shinano.

The so-called Nandu refers to the Hōfuku-ji in Nara, while the so-called Beiling refers to the Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei. Both of these temples are among the most powerful Buddhist institutions in Japan, possessing a large number of warrior monks and extensive territories. They frequently engage in political affairs and matters concerning the imperial family, wielding significant influence among the nobility. In fact, from another perspective, these so-called temples are no different from feudal estates.

On March 24 of that year, the Genpei armies finally engaged in a decisive battle on the waters of Tan no Ura, situated between Moji and Akama. On that day, the western side of the sea was adorned with red flags, while the eastern side displayed white banners, as the warships of both armies crisscrossed, and arrows flew in all directions. The warriors of the Taira clan understood that this was the final battle determining life and death, and they resisted with remarkable tenacity. Around noon, the tide suddenly surged from west to east, scattering the Genji ships, while the Taira took the opportunity to charge forward. The warriors of the Taira clan understood that this was the final battle determining life and death, and they resisted with remarkable tenacity. Around noon, the tide suddenly surged from west to east, scattering the Genji ships, while the Taira took the opportunity to charge forward. Yoshitsune remained calm and composed, personally steering the ship and encouraging his subordinates to fight valiantly. By the afternoon, the tide shifted to flow westward, causing chaos among the Taira ships, allowing the Genji to seize the initiative in the battle.

On the second day, the Heike army arrived at the Hirota Riverbank. Castle Chief Nagamori, upon seeing the Heike red flags covering the mountains and fields, felt a surge of joy, believing that the powerful clans from Shinano had come to support the Heike. His spirits lifted, he called out loudly to rally his troops forward. At that moment, after a single shout, all the red flags suddenly transformed into the Genji's white flags, charging towards Nagamori amidst deafening cries. This psychological shock was unbearable for Castle Chief Nagamori; taken aback, he turned his horse and fled, leading to a perfect victory for Kiso Yoshinaka.

If even the armor of the samurai is so weak, then the armor of the ordinary foot soldiers is even more inferior and useless, and these foot soldiers cannot afford expensive and high-quality weapons; they probably carry only bamboo spears. In this context, Japan at that time was fundamentally unable to develop infantry formations for collective combat, and the mode of battle remained at the barbaric era, emphasizing individual strength in small-scale duels.

The Loyal Companion of Kiso

However, after such a delay, looking back, our troops have already surged forward. With tears in his eyes, he said: "I had intended to spare your life, but my army has already arrived, and you will surely die at the hands of others. It is better for me to kill you myself, so that you may be honored and worshipped in the future." Although he severed the young man's head, he could not help but weep in sorrow. Upon examining the body, he discovered a silk pouch hanging from the young man's waist, containing a flute, and he wondered if it was he who had played the flute last night. He lamented: "I think of my Eastern country's army, numbering tens of thousands, and not a single one among them carries a flute. This young man is indeed a person of refinement, truly pitiful."

It was reported that Yoshinaka was rampaging in Kyoto, which greatly pleased Minamoto no Yoritomo. He immediately gathered his troops and, on the eleventh day of the first month of the following year (1184), launched an army of over a hundred thousand men, advancing towards Kyoto under the pretext of punishing the enemy. Yoshinaka never anticipated that disaster would strike so soon; he had no choice but to spread out his limited force of fifty thousand troops along the banks of the Uji River, preparing for a decisive battle.

Gazing at the moss-covered cliff towering over ten zhang, Yoshiyuki Sawahara, accustomed to galloping through the mountains and fields, was the first to follow Yoritomo, who had already slid down the slope without hesitation. The remaining warriors quickly followed suit. In an instant, the air was filled with the deafening sounds of battle cries. The Heike warriors, who were busy fending off the surging Genji army from both the east and west, were suddenly attacked from the side, causing their morale to collapse in an instant as they rushed towards the ships docked by the sea. Heike generals such as Tada, Chizō, Atsumori, and Shigehira either died in battle, drowned, or were captured. In short, the fortress of Ichinotani came to an end.

However, the Taira army, emboldened by their victory, lingered too long in Echizen, allowing Kiso Yoshinaka to gather his scattered forces in time and advance in seven divisions towards Kurozaka. It is said that the total strength of the Kiso army was 50,000, prompting Taira no Munemori to dispatch 70,000 elite troops in preparation for a decisive battle against Yoshinaka across the Tōrō Mountains

On the second day, the great battle broke out. Because Minamoto no Yoshitsune led dozens of cavalry down the cliff and charged into the ranks of the Taira, the morale of the Taira warriors plummeted, and many jumped into the sea to escape to the ships anchored by the shore. Kumagai Naozane spurred his horse to pursue them and saw a single warrior in the sea, adorned in splendid armor, whom he presumed to be a great general. He shouted, "Fleeing from the battlefield, do you not feel ashamed? Why not turn back and fight me!" Upon hearing this, the warrior indeed turned his horse back to the shore, brandished his sword to engage in battle, but was easily knocked off his horse by Kumagai Naozane.

Yi Zhong discerned Wei Sheng's plan to engage in a decisive battle with superior forces in open terrain and decided to avoid confrontation. He chose not to deploy his large army in the advantageous Jujilagora Valley. Instead, he ordered his mobile troops to rush to the top of Heisaka under the cover of night, where they planted thirty military flags, causing Wei Sheng to be filled with doubt and hesitant to cross Heisaka at night. This allowed the Kiso army to buy time and set up an ambush. It was not until the next day that Wei Sheng's troops crossed Heisaka, only to be confronted by the gleaming armor of twenty thousand Kiso soldiers.

During the burial of Emperor Nijo, a dispute arose between Hōfuku-ji and Enryaku-ji regarding the establishment of a plaque in front of the emperor's tomb, which even led to armed conflicts among the monk soldiers. Taira no Kiyomori considered this a trivial matter; instead of effectively mediating, he reprimanded both sides for their "great treason" and dispatched troops to suppress them, which incited the anger of both temples. Consequently, frequent conflicts occurred between the Southern Capital, Northern Ridge, and the Taira regime, as well as the local governments established by the Taira, ultimately combining with the discontented noble factions against Kiyomori's actions. It is important to note that these monks were different from the powerless courtiers; although they lacked intelligence, they were armed with swords and guns. The combination of the government's schemes and the weapons of the monk soldiers meant that the Taira's rule would no longer see peaceful days.

The Legend of Dunsong

Faced with an enemy army of such high morale, the Kiso forces defending the opposite bank were quickly defeated. After a fierce battle, Kiso Yoshinaka led the remnants of his troops out of Kyoto, while Yoshitsune and six riders rushed straight to the imperial palace to reassure the royal family. Upon seeing the strikingly beautiful and gallant Yoshitsune, the members of the royal family and the nobles, who revered a decayed aesthetic, were utterly enchanted, especially after enduring the oppression of the coarse Yoshinaka. They felt a strong affinity for this young man who conformed to their noble aesthetic ideals. Yoshitsune could never have imagined that this would ultimately lead to his own unmarked grave in the future.

Only afterward did I learn that this young man was the son of the renowned physician Ping Jingsheng, named Dunsheng, and only seventeen years old. The flute, it is said, was bestowed upon him by Emperor Tenyu because his grandfather, Zhongsheng, was skilled in playing the flute, and it was named "Little Branch." The young talent, in an instant, transformed into a wandering soul; indeed, human affairs are unpredictable, resembling a fleeting dream. Life, aging, illness, and death bring much suffering. Upon reflecting on these matters, Kumagai Naomasa could not help but feel utterly despondent, and from that moment on, he renounced the world and became a monk, taking the Dharma name Liansheng. The young talent, in an instant, transformed into a wandering soul; indeed, human affairs are unpredictable, resembling a fleeting dream. Life, aging, illness, and death bring much suffering. Upon reflecting on these matters, Kumagai Naomasa could not help but feel utterly despondent, and from that moment on, he renounced the world and became a monk, taking the Dharma name Liansheng

Hearing the news, Kiso Yoshinaka did not dare to delay in the slightest and promptly dispatched 6,000 troops to arrange for battle at Suicheng in Echizen. Suicheng is the gateway to the heart of Echizen, with its strong fortifications and treacherous terrain. To hinder the enemy's advance, the Kiso army constructed embankments at suitable river confluences, creating a vast artificial lake in front of Suicheng. The Heike army did not anticipate encountering such a vast expanse of water, and lacking boats, they could only camp on high ground in distress.

The main force leading the offensive was General Kubo Yoshitomo, the half-brother of Minamoto no Yoritomo, while the troops attacking from the flank were commanded by another half-brother, Minamoto no Yoshitsune. This Minamoto no Yoshitsune is a figure of great legend; it is said that his mother, Tokiwa Gozen, was a renowned beauty in the world. After the death of his father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo, Tokiwa was taken back by Taira no Kiyomori, which allowed her several sons to escape with their lives. Yoshitsune was the youngest son of Tokiwa, still an infant at the time. When he grew to the age of seven, Kiyomori ordered him to be sent to the Enryaku-ji Temple to become a monk. This Minamoto no Yoshitsune is a figure of great legend; it is said that his mother, Tokiwa Gozen, was a renowned beauty in the world. After the death of his father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo, Tokiwa was taken back by Taira no Kiyomori, which allowed her several sons to escape with their lives. Yoshitsune was the youngest son of Tokiwa, still an infant at the time. When he grew to the age of seven, Kiyomori ordered him to be sent to the Enryaku-ji Temple to become a monk

In the fourth year of Jicheng (1180), in April, the first to raise a long sword against Taira no Kiyomori was his favored retainer, Minamoto no Yorimasa. Minamoto no Yorimasa belonged to the Tada branch of the Settsu Minamoto clan and was, in terms of lineage, a cousin of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, who was executed during the "Heiji Rebellion" (Yoshitomo belonged to the Kawachi Minamoto clan, and both clans share a common origin). However, during the conflict between Kiyomori and Yoshitomo, he sided with Kiyomori. Although this choice allowed him to preserve his life and gain wealth, he was looked down upon by the entire Taira clan, and the remnants of the Minamoto clan regarded him as an enemy, leading to a life of great distress. As the Taira clan's rule faced widespread criticism, the seventy-seven-year-old Minamoto no Yorimasa could no longer contain himself. Thus, he took the second son of the retired Emperor Shirakawa, Prince Mochihito, as his leader and boldly raised the banner of rebellion.

As the world became increasingly unstable, the Taira clan grew arrogant and overbearing. In order to secure their dynastic rule, Kiyomori resolutely dismissed opposing opinions and ultimately decided to relocate the capital to the Fukuhara region, where the Taira's foundation was solid. The relocation efforts began in May of the 4th year of Jishō (1180), consuming vast amounts of manpower and resources. However, due to numerous obstacles, including internal opposition within the Taira clan, by the end of that year, the capital was inexplicably moved back to Heian-kyo. The relocation efforts began in May of the 4th year of Jishō (1180), consuming vast amounts of manpower and resources. However, due to numerous obstacles, including internal opposition within the Taira clan, by the end of that year, the capital was inexplicably moved back to Heian-kyo

Upon seeing the signal from Yoshitsune, the 40,000 Genji warriors began to beat their arrow tubes and shout loudly in unison, their voices echoing in the valley as if hundreds of thousands were shouting at the same time. The Heike warriors were filled with terror, believing they were surrounded by a formidable enemy force, and thus they scattered in panic. The 70,000 troops jostled against one another, with many being pushed into the Kurikara Valley. The remaining soldiers, unable to discern the path in the darkness, mistakenly thought that those who had fallen into the valley had found a way out, and so they too, led by their generals, jumped into the depths of the valley in groups. The Genji warriors pressed on relentlessly, and the area around Kurikara Valley was a scene of devastation, with mournful cries resounding through the valley, resembling a hell on earth. By morning, nearly all 70,000 Heike warriors had perished, their bodies mangled, the stream turned red, and many of the Heike's renowned generals lay dead at the bottom of the valley, with only 2,000, including Koremori and Tōmori, managing to escape with their lives.

After Yoshichika launched an attack in Kansai, the court nobles, who had long been dissatisfied with his actions, under the instigation of the former Emperor Shirakawa, immediately took control of the garrison troops in Kyoto and issued an imperial edict declaring Yoshichika an enemy of the court. Upon learning of the chaos in the rear, Yoshichika, who was in Kansai, led a detachment back to Kyoto to quell this farce of a noble restoration. During the turmoil, both the retired Emperor and the current Emperor fled Kyoto. In a fit of anger, Yoshichika decided to declare himself emperor. However, this fool mistakenly believed that the retired Emperor would shave his head and that the current Emperor would wear a topknot (as the recent generations of emperors were still children, they had to adopt such hairstyles). Thus, in the midst of the chaos, both the retired Emperor and the current Emperor fled Kyoto, and in his anger, Yoshichika decided to declare himself emperor. This fool thought that the retired Emperor would shave his head and that the current Emperor would wear a topknot, so he foolishly took on the role of a stable master for the retired Emperor (the head groom responsible for the retired Emperor's horses, Yoshichika saw the words "retired Emperor" and thought it was a high position)

Indeed, even so, the morale and the application of strategy remain decisive factors in determining the ultimate outcome of war. It is said that during the clash between the Minamoto and Taira armies near the Kurikara Valley, Kiso Yoshinaka continuously dispatched small teams of warriors to challenge the enemy. The steep gorge did not allow the Taira forces to launch an overwhelming charge, and under Yoshinaka's calculated provocation, the young warriors of the Taira clan rose in anger, each one galloping out to engage in single combat with the Minamoto warriors. Thus, the one-on-one struggle continued for an entire day, and as dusk fell, Yoshinaka's already ambushed troops took advantage of the night to maneuver behind the Taira army.

This turmoil diminished Taira no Kiyomori's prestige, and the Taira clan completely lost the support of the people. When Emperor Kanmu moved the capital from Nara Heijō-kyō to Yamashiro Heian-kyō, it weakened the power of the old aristocracy and ushered in a new era. Perhaps Kiyomori sought to emulate this, but he was insufficiently prepared, resulting in a tremendous farce that ultimately drove him to the edge of a precipice.

News of victory arrived, and Minamoto no Yoritomo was naturally overjoyed. He paraded the heads of the defeated Taira generals and the captured soldiers around Kyoto to showcase his military might. At the same time, Yoritomo felt envious of Yoshitsune's remarkable military achievements in this battle, so he stripped him of his military authority and reassigned him elsewhere, leaving General Minamoto no Yoshinari to continue the advance with 30,000 soldiers deployed at Fujido. In contrast, the Taira gathered their defeated troops, leading 500 warships to establish defenses across the sea at Kojima in Bizen. Meanwhile, Yoritomo, still envious of Yoshitsune's remarkable military achievements in this battle, stripped him of his military authority and reassigned him elsewhere, leaving General Minamoto no Yoshinari to continue the advance with 30,000 soldiers deployed at Fujido. In contrast, the Taira gathered their defeated troops, leading 500 warships to establish defenses across the sea at Kojima in Bizen.

After this battle, the Taira clan no longer dared to underestimate the naval power of the Genji. Soon after, the two armies engaged in another skirmish at Shikamaura in Sanuki, where the Taira suffered another significant defeat, and the remaining troops near Yashima were almost entirely annihilated. Nearby warlords, including Kumano's local leader Tanza, recognized the decline of the Taira and, after divining with seven red chickens and seven white chickens, decided to submit to the Genji. The feudal lords of Shikoku, seeing Tanza's defection to the Genji, also began to betray the Taira. Consequently, the Taira clan completely lost their foothold on land and were left to wander at sea

During the march, upon arriving at a place called Beiyue, Yoshitsune ordered Motoda Yukiyoshi to lead the main forces to continue advancing towards Ichinotani, while he himself took several dozen cavalry and directly headed south. At dawn on February 7, he reached the cliffs behind the Ichinotani fortress.

The Heike forces, retreating from various directions, gathered and established a camp at Shinohara in Kaga Province. The pursuing forces of Yoshinaka arrived at Shinohara at the hour of the dragon on May 21 and launched a fierce attack. The Genji army initially held the advantage, while the Heike army was completely at a disadvantage. The commanders were aware of their inevitable defeat, yet the series of losses ignited an extraordinary courage within them, leading to a truly commendable battle in this war. In the fierce combat, many renowned warriors, including Fujiwara no Sanemori, fought valiantly until their deaths, and their soldiers continued to fight until the last man. After the war concluded, even Yoshinaka, the enemy, could not help but be moved by the bravery of the Heike warriors, shedding tears.

At that time, the power of the Taira clan in Kyoto was still very strong. Minamoto no Yorimasa, on one hand, issued orders to various regions to subdue the Taira clan under the name of Emperor Ninnō, and on the other hand, fled Kyoto, planning to secretly go to Nara to engage in a prolonged resistance while waiting for support from the Minamoto clan in various regions. However, before he could reach Nara, he was caught by the pursuing Taira forces in the Usa area. After a fierce battle, Yorimasa and his son were killed, and Emperor Ninnō committed suicide.

At this time, the former Baigawa-in had already become a monk, and his authority was gradually undermined by Kiyomori, which left him greatly dissatisfied. Therefore, this emperor, who had a penchant for meetings, summoned his trusted aides, including Saikō and Junkan, to hold a secret meeting regarding the eradication of the Taira clan. The specifics of the meeting need not be examined; in short, the outcome was that due to the diverse attendance, the secret was leaked, resulting in the beheading of Saikō and Junkan, while the emperor was placed under house arrest—this occurred in May of the first year of Jishō (1177)

It can be said that by this time, Taira no Kiyomori had already grown old and feeble, and his misguided actions ultimately led to the destruction of his own realm. For instance, in order to strengthen his rule, he specifically established a secret organization known as the "Bald Boys." This organization consisted of three hundred members, all boys aged fourteen to sixteen, with uniformly short hair and dressed in red. Their task was to patrol the streets of the capital, and if they overheard anyone speaking ill of the Taira clan, they would immediately report it, leading to the arrest of the individual by the Rokuhara for punishment. This organization comprised three hundred members, all boys aged fourteen to sixteen, with uniformly short hair and dressed in red. Their task was to patrol the streets of the capital, and if they overheard anyone speaking ill of the Taira clan, they would immediately report it, leading to the arrest of the individual by the Rokuhara for punishment. Such a practice of silencing the populace only brought about negative consequences and yielded no positive results whatsoever

The terrain of Yizhi Valley is steep, facing the sea and backed by cliffs. Confronted with this solidly constructed fortress, defended by 40,000 troops, Fan Lai, as the commander, found his mind completely blank and had no choice but to seek assistance from his deputy, Yijing

Firstly, Minamoto no Yoritomo established the "Shisō" and appointed his confidant Watanabe no Yoshimori as the chief "Betto." He reorganized the gathered powerful clans into direct vassals of his own—known as the Gokanin—who were unified under the jurisdiction and training of the Shisō Betto. In times of war, the Betto would command the army in the capacity of "Gunbushō." In the third year of Shōwa (1184), he also established the administrative body "Kōbunsho" and the judicial body "Monzushō," appointing the politician Ōe no Hiromoto and the legal expert Saneyasu Kōshin, who were invited from Kyoto, as the "Betto" of these two institutions. It can be said that while various regional powers were engaged in relentless conflict, only Minamoto no Yoritomo remained firmly in the Kanto region, steadily expanding his territory on one hand while creating a new national system centered around the samurai, which was entirely different from the Heian court.

At the age of fifteen, Yoshitsune finally learned of his tragic family background, prompting him to escape from the Anma Temple. He wandered the world, studying military strategy and martial arts, seeking opportunities for revenge. It is said that he was of petite stature, with fair skin and beauty akin to that of a lovely girl. On the Gojo Bridge in Kyoto, he disguised himself as a woman and defeated the evil monk Benkei Musashibo, who obstructed travelers and fought to collect a thousand famous swords. Benkei, along with many other remnants of the Genji clan who lost their lords and property after the Heiji Rebellion, such as Ise Saburo Yoshimori, gathered around Yoshitsune.

Cheng Zhangmao's elder brother, Cheng Zhuzhang, died while serving as the governor of Echigo, which made Zhangmao feel that this military expedition was extremely inauspicious, and he secretly lamented. However, since the Heishi had already issued the order, he could not hesitate or retreat, so he hastily assembled an army of 40,000 and marched south to attack Shinano Province. At this time, Kiso Yoshinaka was stationed at Iida Castle in Shinano, with only 3,000 troops in the castle, which, under normal circumstances, could not possibly withstand an attacking force ten times its size. Therefore, Yoshinaka gathered his generals to discuss whether to abandon the castle and retreat, and as a result, his subordinate Inoue Mitsukane proposed a brilliant strategy.

As the great endeavor of the westward expedition was on the verge of failure, Minamoto no Yoritomo had no choice but to seek assistance from the sidelined Yoshitsune. Yoshitsune, putting aside past grievances, without a second thought, took one hundred and fifty cavalrymen and rushed to the front lines

On the 26th, Sasaki Moritsuna, having discovered a shallow area that only reached his chest, stealthily crossed the sea with the unarmed Genji soldiers and landed on Kojima, where he successfully repelled the Taira army, forcing them into the naval stronghold of Ushi Island. The Genji forces, lacking ships, could only gaze longingly at the sea. Soon after, the Taira's guerrilla forces flanked Minamoto no Yoriyoshi from behind, cutting off his supply line. The western expeditionary army found itself in a dilemma, with morale plummeting. Shortly thereafter, the Taira's guerrilla forces flanked Minamoto no Yoriyoshi from behind, cutting off his supply line. The western expeditionary army found itself in a dilemma, with morale plummeting

The low-born Yizhong was also utterly ignorant of etiquette, speaking in a coarse and rude manner. It is said that when he hosted the nobles for a meal, he actually used large bowls typical of rural folk, filling them to the brim with rice and then topping them with vegetables, as if he were entertaining poor relatives from the countryside. This greatly displeased the nobles, who prided themselves on their refinement, and they repeatedly cursed him in their hearts, calling him a "country bumpkin"

Although in formal historical records,熊谷直实 entered priesthood in the third year of Kenkyū (1192), which was seven years after the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani, due to a failed lawsuit regarding his territory against Koshigoe Narimitsu, he became a monk in anger and took refuge under the high priest Hōnen. However, later generations prefer to believe the legend that he was purely moved by compassion for the death of Taira no Atsumori, thus achieving enlightenment and breaking free from the mundane world. Throughout the ages, people have poured their deep sympathy and pity onto Atsumori, this rare and graceful young nobleman of all time.

The Taira clan faced repeated defeats and could only plan to make a final desperate effort by leveraging the absolute advantage of their naval forces. On one hand, Yoshitsune trained the navy, while on the other, he sent people to contact Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, who was on an expedition to Kyushu, preparing to launch a two-pronged attack against the remnants of the Taira clan. Unfortunately, Yoriyoshi was being relentlessly pursued by the fiercely independent clans of Kyushu, leaving him with no strength to support Yoshitsune.

On the night of July 24, Kiso Yoshinaka's main forces approached Kyoto, prompting nearby major temples to respond as well. After the Taira clan dispatched troops to attack the monks of the major temples, they were left with almost no soldiers to defend the gateway to Kyoto at the Uji River. The Minister of the Interior, Taira no Munemori, made a resolute decision to concentrate all available Taira forces and fled to Kyushu with the six-year-old Emperor Antoku and the three sacred treasures.

The relocation of the capital to Fukuhara

After Kiso Yoshinaka retreated from Kyoto and faced repeated attacks from the enemy, only five retainers remained by his side, including Taira no Tomoe and Imai Kanehira. According to legend, upon seeing Tomoe, covered in blood, Yoshinaka's heart softened. Unable to bear the thought of her dying in battle, he sternly ordered her to break through on her own. With tears streaming down her face, Tomoe said, "Then let me fight for you one more time!" She then swiftly defeated the charging Musashi warrior Taira no Shige, cutting off his head with a single stroke, and broke through the enemy lines. From that moment on, this remarkable woman vanished from both history and legend.

The superior samurai wears a large armor, intricately crafted, adorned with various colored silk threads, and topped with a prominent decoration known as "shovel-shaped," which appears very splendid. In contrast, the lower-ranking samurai can only afford simple do-maru. However, whether it is large armor or do-maru, the basic materials are bamboo, wood, and leather, as Japan has a very limited iron production, resulting in minimal use of metal for reinforcement and protection. Conversely, Japanese swords are expensive due to the scarcity of materials, meticulously crafted through generations, and are exceptionally sharp. With such sharp weapons against such weak armor, the skill level of the individual warrior becomes a crucial factor in determining the outcome of the battle.

Under the command of Kiso Yoshinaka, it is said that there were four warriors known as the "Four Heavenly Kings," who were skilled in archery and horsemanship, and experienced in battle. These included Imai Kanemitsu, Higuchi Kanemitsu (both sons of Nakahara Kanemoto), Tate Chikata, and Negi Yukichika, as well as Nakahara Kanemoto's daughter, the rare female warrior in Japanese history, Tomoe Gozen. Kiso Yoshinaka's legitimate wife was likely another daughter of Nakahara Kanemoto (or possibly his niece), the Yamabuki clan, who later gave birth to the heir Kiso Yoshitaka. The legendary love between Yoshinaka and Tomoe was, in fact, at most a relationship of concubinage, and it is even suggested that they may not have had a marital relationship at all.

On the surface, the Taira regime appears to be more stable than the Fujiwara regency. On one hand, Kiyomori himself possesses both troops and provisions, eliminating the need to rely on other warrior groups. On the other hand, he not only emphasizes the control of central power but also strives to strengthen control over local areas. The Taira clan holds nearly half of the provincial offices across Japan, and they have stationed officials not only within their own territories but also in the domains of powerful aristocrats and provincial offices, thereby serving as the foundation of the Taira's Rokuhara regime. They are committed to enhancing their control over local areas, with the Taira clan holding nearly half of the provincial offices across Japan, and they have stationed officials not only within their own territories but also in the domains of powerful aristocrats and provincial offices, thereby serving as the foundation of the Taira's Rokuhara regime.