Chapter 4

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4-[1] The Imperial Journey to Itsukushima---Takakura is forced to give the throne to his toddler son Antoku. As a newly retired emperor, he travel to Itsukushima. On the way he sees his confined father Go-Shirakawa. This chapter opens with the new year, 1180, the year war begins.

Major characters

Kiyomori, who has made his move to maintain control of the government

Munemori, Kiyomori's son and clan head

**These emperors (note that there is a name change in that the "Retired Emperor" is now Takakura, not Go-Shirakawa, so when the text mentions Go-Shirakawa, it uses his full name. If the text merely says "Retired Emperor" it is referring to Takakura):

"Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa" (1127–1192, r. 1155–1158). Father is Emp. Toba, mother is Fujiwara no Kinzane's daughter Shôshi

Retired Emperor" or "New Retired Emperor" = Emperor Takakura (1161–1181, r. 1168–1180). Father is Emp. Go-Shirakawa, mother is Kiyomori's daughter Tokushi.

Emperor Antoku, now (1180) counted as age three (1178–1185, r. 1180–1185). Father is Emp. Takakura, mother is Kiyomori's daughter Kenreimon'in

Section summary

Few make the usual New Year's rounds to Go-Shirakawa who is under house arrest by Kiyomori

Takakura is forced to abdicate the throne and the new emperor is his son Antoku, age three.

Takakura makes an irregular decision as to where to go as a newly retired emperor. He angers the Mt. Hiei monks with this decision, but he wants to visit his father Go-Shirakawa on the way. Munemori agrees that this is reasonable.

4- [2] The Imperial Return---Describes Takakura's time in Itsukushima and his return to the Capital.

Major characters

Takakura

"new Emperor" = Antoku

Section summary

Takakura writes poems while at Itsukushima

Takakura returns to the Capital, where accession ceremonies for Antoku are held

4- [3] An Array of Genji---War begins.

Major characters

Prince Mochihito/Takakura, Go-Shirakawa's second son, who had been skipped over by the Taira in forcing the selection of Go-Shirakawa's seventh son to become the next emperor (Emp. Takakura) **It is just coincidence that Emperor Takakura and Prince Takakura share the same name.

Minamoto no Yorimasa, a high-ranking Minamoto not from the same branch of the family as Yoritomo below. He joined forces with Kiyomori after the Heiji Disturbance. He is now turning against the Taira.

Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147–1199), the primary Minamoto general, the one who was exiled rather than killed by the Taira after the Heiji Disturbance. He will become Japan's first shôgun.

Kiso no Yoshinaka, a great warrior who will figure in later in the story

Section summary

Yorimasa wants the Minamoto to overthrow the Taira but they need an imperial leader. They find him in Prince Mochihito, who would have had legitimate claim to the throne if the Taira had not installed their puppet emperor Takakura.

In the first clash, 1,000 Taira against 2,000 Minamoto at Shingû Harbor, the Taira are defeated.

Multimedia

Yorimasa works to convince Prince Takakura that he should be emperor. From (Fujiwara no)Takafusa tsuya emaki, ca. 1177.

4- [4] The Matter of the Weasels---The pattern of weasels running about predicts good and bad things for Go-Shirakawa

Major characters

Prince Mochihito, see above

Section summary

Based on how weasels have run through Go-Shirakawa's palace of confinement, both good and bad things are predicted for him. The good comes in the form of his relocation to better surroundings; the bad refers to Prince Mochihito, his son, having an arrest warrant put on him for plotting against Kiyomori.

4- [5] Nobutsura---A section displaying the ferocity and loyalty of a man who serves Prince Mochihito

Major characters

Prince Mochihito, see above this chapter, Section [3]

Nobutsura, a samurai that serves him. I am not sure, but I think this man is a Fujiwara.

"the Kamakura lord"—refers to Yoritomo, after he has won the war and become shôgun.

Section summary

Kiyomori's men go to Prince Mochihito's residence to arrest him but he has fled ahead of them, disguised as a woman.@ His retainer Nobutsura stays behind to fight. Though he fights well and bravely, he is finally captured. His great bushidô spirit, however, affects Kiyomori enough that instead of beheading him, he exiles him.

4- [6] Kio---Discusses the origins of the bad feelings between the Minamoto and the Taira, and tells a story of revenge achieved through clever strategy

Major characters

Prince Mochihito, who has fled and found asylum with the Miidera monks

Miidera monks, who have clashed with the Enryakuji monks in the past

Yorimasa, a main planner for the Minamoto revolt and father to Nakatsuna, who was insulted by Munemori

Munemori, tactless Taira clan head

Section summary

Prince Mochihito flees and finds safety at Miidera

Yorimasa's eldest son refuses to give a prized horse to Munemori but finally is forced to do so. Munemori brands Nakatsuna's name on the horse, as a public insult.

When Yorimasa leaves to join forces with Mochihito at Miidera. One of his men, Kiô, stays behind.

Kiô pretends to trade sides and join the Taira, but this is only long enough to get the gift of a horse from Munemori.

Upon receiving the horse, he takes it to Miidera, brands it with Munemori's name, and returns it to the Capital as a public insult to match Munemori's earlier one.

4- [7] The Letter to the Enryakuji---The Miidera monks, sheltering Prince Mochihito, seek allies

Major characters

"Prince Takakura" = Prince Mochihito

Section summary

The Miidera monks send a letter to the Enryakuji monks asking them to rise up with them against the Taira but are refused.

4- [8] The Letter to the Southern Capital---The Miidera monks also write to the third great Buddhist institution at Nara: Kofukuji.

Major characters

"Hiei monks" = Enryakuji monks

Section summary

The Miidera monks send a second letter to the monks of Kôfukuji in Nara, who seem more predisposed to help them than the Enryakuji monks were.

4- [9] A Prolonged General Meeting---The Miidera monks discuss military strategy, and the bushido value of courage overcoming hesitancy is on display. The meeting, however, will prove to have been too long.

4- [10] An Array of Monks---Miidera's defense of Mochihito has a false start

Major characters

Yorimasa, who has organized the rebellion against the Taira

Nakatsuna, his son

Section summary

The Miidera monks prepare for battle but the prior meeting has delayed the attack. Daylight comes and the attack is aborted. Mochihito decides to flee south to Nara, unsure the Miidera monks can protect him.

Multimedia

The Miidera monks finally set out (but they have dallied too long in meetings to succeed in their military intentions).

4- [11] The Battle at the Bridge---Taira meet Miidera monks and the entourage of Prince Mochihito in fierce battle at Uji.

Section summary

Mochihito is fleeing southwards but keeps falling off his horse. They decide to let him rest at Uji, a place of difficult river crossing. They pull up a portion of the bridge as defense. Stopping here will be a fateful decision.

Warrior bravery and tactics are on display. In particular Tajima becomes known for his ability to knock away arrows and warrior-monk Jômyô fights fearlessly.

Taira finally cross the river.

Multimedia

Battle at Uji Bridge

4- [12] The Death of the Prince---The Taira forces are victorious at Uji

Section summary

The Taira make a successful river crossing and overwhelm the Prince's forces. Most who were associated with the uprising are killed or kill themselves before capture. Yorimasa, his son Nakatsuna are among those who perish. Prince Mochihito attempts to flee south but is cut off and cut down.

4- [13] The Young Prince Becomes a Monk---What happens to the offspring of Prince Mochihito (the Taira do not want an imperial line that might compete for the thrown after Antoku finishes his period of reign)

Section summary

The Taira return victorious, displaying the heads of the enemy, including that of Prince Mochihito.

Mochihito's descendants must be attended to. His son is forced to become a monk.

4- [14] The Matter of Tojo---Another of Mochihito's sons survives

Major characters

Kiso no Yoshinaka, a Minamoto warrior whose last name happens to be Kiso

Kiso Prince, Michihito's son with a possible claim to the throne

Section summary

Another one of Michihito's sons is spirited off to the north, where the Minamoto have greater territorial control, with hopes that later he might be emperor.

4- [15] The Thrush Monsters---Some background on the late Yorimasa's career, including his vanquishing of a thrush monster

Major characters

Minamoto no Yorimasa, who sided with the Taira ("heedless of family ties") in the Heiji Disturbance but later plots to overthrow them, only to be killed in the battle at Uji.

Section summary

Describes Yorimasa's exploits, including his remarkable ability to strike down an invisible monster with a single arrow.

The text notes that his life came to naught because of he was foolish enough to plot against the Taira.

4- [16] The Burning of Miidera---Kiyomori punishes the Miidera monks for their role in the revolt.

Section summary

The Enryakuji monks have stayed on the sidelines in the most recent aggressions.

Miidera, on the other hand, sided against the Taira. Forces are sent to burn the Miidera temples. The monks defend their grounds, but unsuccessfully.