Taira No Noritsune (1160- 1185), Taira Clan, The Gempei War, 1180-1185--single mounted figure raising his blue bow in the air
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Item Number: GMPT-02
Taira No Noritsune (1160- 1185), Taira Clan, The Gempei War, 1180-1185
Taira No Noritsune (1160- 1185) was a military leader of the Taira Clan during the Gempei Wars. He was the son of Taira No Norimori. Taira No Noritsune fought in many battles including the battles of Mizushima, and Dan-no-ura. He also fought in the battle of Ichi-no-Tani, and killed Sato Tsugunobu in the battle of Yashima.
He was to commit suicide in the battle of Dan-no-ura. Missing an opportunity to kill Yoshitsune in hand to hand combat during the battle, Noritsune discarded his helmet and challenged anyone to try and fight him. Two brothers, Sanemitsu and Jiro, Genji retainers, charged him. He caught one under each arm and jumped into the sea, taking them both with him as he drowned.
THE GEMPEI WAR, 1180-1185
The Gempei War which took place between 1180 and 1185 was a national civil war between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the late Heian period of Japan. It resulted in the downfall of the Taira and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate under Minamoto no Yoritomo, who appointed himself as Shogun in 1192, governing Japan as a military dictator from the eastern city of Kamakura.
The name Gempei or Genpei comes from the words Minamoto (Gen) and Taira (Hei, which was pronounced as pei). These two families were fierce rivals, both were ancient families, descended from royalty. The Heike or Taira had close ties with the court, and were well known as accomplished artists and men of letters as well as great warriors. The Genji or Minamota were rustics, and each side derided the other for their chosen lifestyles.
Taira no Tomomori (1152 – 1185) was the son of Taira no Kiyomori, and one of the Taira clan’s chief commanders in the Gempei War. He was victorious at the Battle of Uji in 1180, the Battle of Yahagigawa in 1181 and again victorious in the naval Battle of Mizushima two years later.
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.
Released in AUGUST 2023.
