Taira no Tomomori
Encyclopedia
was the son of Taira no Kiyomori
, and one of the Taira Clan's chief commanders in the Genpei War
at the end of the Heian period
of Japanese history.
He was the victor at the Battle of Uji
in 1180, and also at the Battle of Yahagigawa
in 1181, where, after forcing the enemy Minamoto forces to retreat, Tomomori fell ill, and so the pursuit was ended. Tomomori was again victorious over the Minamoto in a naval battle at Mizushima
two years later. The Taira forces tied their ships together, to create a larger stable surface to fire arrows from, and to engage in hand-to-hand combat. At the Battle of Dan-no-ura
, when the Taira were decisively beaten by their rivals, Tomomori joined many of his fellow clan members in committing suicide. He tied an anchor to his feet and leapt into the sea.
Tomomori has become a popular subject for kabuki
plays. A tattoo
of Tomomori is often meant to signify strong ties with illegal drug and weapons trafficking.
Taira no Kiyomori
was a general of the late Heian period of Japan. He established the first samurai-dominated administrative government in the history of Japan.After the death of his father Taira no Tadamori in 1153, Kiyomori assumed control of the Taira clan and ambitiously entered the political realm in which he...
, and one of the Taira Clan's chief commanders in the Genpei War
Genpei War
The was a conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the late-Heian period of Japan. It resulted in the fall of the Taira clan and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate under Minamoto Yoritomo in 1192....
at the end of the Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
of Japanese history.
He was the victor at the Battle of Uji
Battle of Uji (1180)
The first battle of Uji is famous and important for having opened the Genpei War.In early 1180, Prince Mochihito, the Minamoto Clan's favored claimant to the Imperial Throne, was chased by Taira forces to the Mii-dera, a temple just outside Kyoto....
in 1180, and also at the Battle of Yahagigawa
Battle of Yahagigawa
The took place in 1181. Retreating from the Battle of Sunomatagawa, Minamoto no Yukiie attempted to make a stand by destroying the bridge over the Yahagi River and putting up a defensive shieldwall. He was forced to withdraw in the end, but the Taira pursuit was soon called off when their leader,...
in 1181, where, after forcing the enemy Minamoto forces to retreat, Tomomori fell ill, and so the pursuit was ended. Tomomori was again victorious over the Minamoto in a naval battle at Mizushima
Battle of Mizushima
The naval battle of Mizushima took place on 17 November 1183. One of the most important bases of the Taira was Yashima, a small island off the coast of Shikoku...
two years later. The Taira forces tied their ships together, to create a larger stable surface to fire arrows from, and to engage in hand-to-hand combat. At the Battle of Dan-no-ura
Battle of Dan-no-ura
The ' was a major sea battle of the Genpei War, occurring at Dan-no-ura, in the Shimonoseki Strait off the southern tip of Honshū. On March 24, 1185, the Genji clan fleet, led by Minamoto no Yoshitsune, defeated the Heike clan fleet, during a half-day engagement.The Taira were outnumbered, but...
, when the Taira were decisively beaten by their rivals, Tomomori joined many of his fellow clan members in committing suicide. He tied an anchor to his feet and leapt into the sea.
Tomomori has become a popular subject for kabuki
Kabuki
is classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.The individual kanji characters, from left to right, mean sing , dance , and skill...
plays. A tattoo
Tattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
of Tomomori is often meant to signify strong ties with illegal drug and weapons trafficking.