The Taiheiki (Japanese: 太平記) is a Japanese historical epic (see gunki monogatari), written in the late 14th century. It deals primarily with the Nanboku-chō, the period of war between the Northern Court of Ashikaga Takauji in Kyoto, and the Southern Imperial Court of Emperor Go-Daigo in Yoshino.

Original Work

The latest English translation consists of 12 chapters of the 40-chapter epic, and spans the period from Go-Daigo's accession in 1318 (when Takauji was still a minor vassal of the Kamakura shogunate's Hōjō clan), through Takauji's betrayal of the Hōjō, and Go-Daigo's fall and expulsion by Takauji in 1333, to his return to Kyoto in 1338. Go-Daigo, unlike many of the emperors before him, sought to supersede the power of the shoguns, and to actually rule in addition to reigning in name. Thus began a series of battles, both military and political, as the Fujiwara family, who dominated the Imperial regency following the fall of the Hōjō, sought to retain influence. These battles, political maneuvers, and other developments of the time are related in the Taiheiki.

Historical Significance

These battles are historically very important as they led to the extinction of the Southern Court of the Japanese Imperial Line, which to this day is seen as legitimate. In fact, Northern Court members are officially called pretenders. One Southern Court descendant, Kumazawa Hiromichi, proclaimed himself Japan's Emperor after World War 2, calling Emperor Hirohito a fraud, as Hirohito's entire line is descended from the Northern Court. Despite this, he was not arrested for lèse majesté, even when donning the Imperial Crest, because he had a koseki detailing his bloodline back to Go-Daigo in Yoshino, but has been unsuccessful at creating any political change other than sympathy.

Analysis

Like most Japanese historical epics, the Taiheiki's tendencies towards drama and exaggeration are acknowledged, but the text is regarded as remaining mostly accurate. It is the primary source on many of the warriors and battles of this period, and also documents elements of the fall of the powerful and historically important Hōjō clan.

Remakes

NHK's 2001 taiga miniseries Taiheiki highlighted the dramatic events just prior to Hōjō Tokimune's birth and up to his death in 1284,and through the Ashikaga reign. Tokimune was portrayed by Kyogen actor, Motoya Izumi. NHK's drama is noted for its portrayal of Ashikaga Takauji as an agent of change against the decadent Hōjō, rather than a national traitor as generally viewed by Japanese historians.

External links

• Trans. Helen Craig McCullough (1979). Taiheiki a Chronicle of Medieval Japan. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-9370-1321-1.
• Complete text (in Japanese)
• Japan's Other Emperor