Origins & Early Life

Taira no Kiyomori (平 清盛; Japanese pronunciation: [taꜜi.ɾa no | kʲi.joꜜ.mo.ɾʲi], 1118 – March 20, 1181) was a Japanese military leader and kugyō of the late Heian period, who was Daijō-daijin and the de facto ruler of Japan from 1167 until his death. He established the first samurai-dominated administrative government in the history of Japan. He has been dubbed one of "Japan's Three Great Villains" (日本三大梟雄), a nickname he shared with Ashikaga Takauji and Dōkyō, given by Confucian-minded historians due to their lack of loyalty to the throne. Kiyomori was born in Heian-kyō in 1118 as the first son of Taira no Tadamori.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His mother, Gion no Nyogo, was wife of Tadamori and a palace servant according to The Tale of the Heike. After the death of his father in 1153, Kiyomori assumed control of the Taira clan and ambitiously entered the political realm, in which he had previously only held a minor post. Before that though, in 1156, he and Minamoto no Yoshitomo, head of the Minamoto clan, suppressed the rebels in the Hōgen Rebellion. This established the Taira and Minamoto as the top samurai clans in Kyoto. However, this caused the allies to become bitter rivals...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Abraham ibn Ezra — Historical peer (Died in 1167) (1167): Distinguished 12th-century Sephardic rabbi, philosopher, and biblical commentator.
• Bernard of Clairvaux — Historical peer (Died in 1153) (1153): Burgundian saint, mystic, and key reformer of the Cistercian Order.
• 1118 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1118
• February 10 (02-10) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 10
• 1181 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1181
• March 20 (03-20) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 20