Taira Kiyomori

Taira no Kiyomori was a towering figure in late Heian-period Japan, a military leader and statesman who rose from samurai commander to the highest echelons of imperial power. As the head of the powerful Taira clan, Kiyomori broke tradition by securing high court ranks and marrying his family into the imperial line, most notably by having his grandson Antoku named emperor. His strategic brilliance in warfare, especially during the Hōgen and Heiji rebellions, solidified his dominance over the rival Minamoto clan—for a time. Yet, his ambition and arrogance would sow the seeds of his downfall, as his heavy-handed rule and disregard for aristocratic norms provoked deep resentment. Under Kiyomori, the Taira clan reached its peak, but his legacy also sparked the Genpei War, leading to the Taira’s eventual destruction. He remains a complex figure—both admired and reviled in Japanese history.