【Kyoto History Guide】Taira no Kiyomori & The Tale of the Heike

Hello everyone! Welcome to your travel guide for exploring Japan’s epic samurai history.

Taira no Kiyomori was the ambitious samurai general who rose to the highest court office in the 12th century, establishing the golden era of the Taira (Heike) clan in Kyoto.

In this guide, we’ll visit key spots connected to Kiyomori and The Tale of the Heike!

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1. Headquarters of the Heike Clan: Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple

The Rokuhara district surrounding Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple served as the grand headquarters of the Taira clan, once filled with thousands of samurai mansions.

The temple treasure hall houses the famous sitting statue of Taira no Kiyomori (Important Cultural Property).

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2. Hall of 1,001 Statues Funded by Kiyomori: Sanjusangendo

World-famous for its 1,001 golden Kannon statues, Sanjusangendo Temple was originally built and funded by Taira no Kiyomori as a grand gift to Emperor Goshirakawa, showcasing his vast wealth and power.

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3. Summary

Discover the rise and fall of Japan’s first samurai rulers by visiting the historic sites of Taira no Kiyomori in Kyoto!