A handscroll painting dated c. 1130, illustrating a scene from the "Bamboo River" chapter of The Tale of Genji

Beauty Thrived. Power Leaked.

In the Heian era, tax-exempt shōen manors starved the court of revenue, and private samurai armies rose.

History of Japan — From Courtly Splendor to Samurai Rule

Minamoto no Yoritomo was the founder of the Kamakura shogunate in 1192. This was the first military government in which the shogun with the samurai were the de facto rulers of Japan.

Two Clans, One Island

The Taira first beat the Minamoto. Then Minamoto no Yoritomo returned; the Genpei War climaxed at the Battle of Dan-no-ura.

History of Japan — From Courtly Splendor to Samurai Rule

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