Key Terms

There are many terms throughout "The Tale of the Heike" that do not see use in modern day life. Also, there are terms specific to Japanese culture that need to be defined as the "Tale of the Hieke" is read. You will find these terms throughout the text,

Abe no Seimei

A celebrated master of yin-yang divination and magic who lived from 921 to 1005, he appears in Book 3 Episode Fifteen in correlation to his 5^th generation grandson Abe no Yasuchika. There is a shrine dedicated to him, called the Semei shrine, in modern Kyoto.

Aki

A province that became well-known around the Heian period because of the Itsukushima Shrine. It was not only important as a religious symbol with Itsukushima, but it was also an important sea port with great strategic significance. In the Tale of Heike, Taira no Kiyomori saw the value of Aki province and made several donations for new buildings and sutra scrolls before his death.

Ashuras

The name of a Buddhist titan who has three heads and six arms, related to the Asura in Hinduism. They are mentioned in Book 3 Episode 8.

Atsumori’s flute

This was the flute found on Atusmori’s body after being decapitated by Kumagae no Jiro Naozane at the battle of Ichi no Tani. The flute was said to have been passed down from the Retired Emperor Toba. The Taira are portrayed as aristocrats, not fully prepared for battle, and the flute helps represent the disparity between the Genji warriors and their enemies.

Biwa

A type of Japanese short-necked fretted lute. It was used primarily by story-tellers. The biwa is significant because it is thought to be used by Benzaiten, the goddess of music, eloquence, poetry, and education in Japanese Shintoism. The biwa is seen (Ch.7, Ep.3) during the pilgrimage to Chikubushima by Tsunemasa.

Biwa Seizan

The Biwa Seizan was used by emperor Murakami when he studied secret pieces with Lian Chengwu of Tang. It later arrived in Japan with other two instruments and was then given to Emperor Ninmyo as a gift. Later, it was given to Tsunemasa as an imperial gift when he was still a young boy. Tsunemasa played the secret pieces before the main sanctuary when he was in Kyushu and end up left it in Ninnaji temple to keep it safe during war before his flight.

Bodhisattva

In Buddhism, bodhisattva is a term for anyone who has generated Bodhivitta, a spontaneous wish and compassionate mind to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. A person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion for suffering beings and their want to save them. An example of this would be the head monk of Mount Hiezan.

Bow Oars

Oars attached to the bow of a boat that allows its crew to easily maneuver it in all directions. The proposed installation of these oars led to one of the many conflicts between Kajiwara and Kuro Yoshitsune. These oars would grant Genji warriors easy control of their boats, something that would be immensely useful in the occasion retreat was necessary. Yoshitsune opposed installation of these oars because in addition to taking up valuable time, he saw the use of these oars for potential retreat as cowardly.

Buddhist Master Jie

The 18th Abbot of mount Hiei, many believed that Kiyomori was a reincarnation of him. He had brought good to the land and believe that he was Reborn as Kiyomori to lead from evil to good. Master Jie is the protector of the Tendai teachings and is considered to represent good karma. In book 6 chapter 9, an old man claims that Lord Kiyomori is the great master Jie reborn in Japan to ‘assure protection for the Tendai teaching’.

Bungo

A former province of Japan in Kyushu. Bungo was home to the great warrior Koreyoshi and Sukemori spoke about the Taira fate and how they were forced to leave Kyushu.

Calendar months

Due to the lunar calendar falling behind the movement of the sun, it was necessary to insert supplementary months that repeated the number of the month preceding it. In terms of the Tale of the Heike, the months went as followed: Haru the time between February 5 to May 6; Natsu the time between may 7 to august 8; Aki the time between August 9 to November 7; Fuyu the time between November 8 to February 4. Haru is the spring Season, Natsu is the summer season, Aki is the fall season, and Fuyu is the winter season.

Calendar Years

Based off of the name of the emperor, followed by the year of rule. Instead of basing it off of a singular birth and going from that birth onwards, the Years on the calendar is based upon the amount of time an emperor rules. Listed below is the list of emperors and the time periods they ruled from Tale of the Heike. Some important years include the Angen years from 1175 to 1177 which pays a part in book 6 of Tales of the Heike. Some Emperors would only rule for a few years before either being told to step down, died, or retired on their own. Some Emperors only ruled for a few years such as Angen which was a rule of only about 3 years, while some like the Enryaku era lasted for 26 years.

See Pages 731-734 in "The Tale of the Heike" Translated by Royall Tyler for a complete list of the reigning emperors.

Chikubushima Island

Chikubushima is a tiny island in the middle of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake. The shrines there honor the goddess of Benzaiten; the deity of luck, eloquence, and beauty. Within “The Tale of The Heike”, (Chapter 7, Ep. 3) Taira no Tsunemasa makes a pilgrimage to the island to pray before combat. He sought peace on the island and appealed to the goddess Benzaiten by playing his Biwa. The Noh play Chikubushima and the Heike Biwa work both relate to the island.

Daikakuji

A temple in Kyoto which was originally the palace of Emperor Saga and later become a residence to cloistered emperors to rule from. In “The Tale of the Heike”, it is referenced as being in the mountains east of Nara and South of Shobudani, where Rokudai lived in hiding.[1] The chief priest of Daikaku-ji is called “Monzeki-san”

A link to the temple’s website: https://www.daikakuji.or.jp/english/.

Dazaifu

This is the location of the Taira after they have been removed from the capital. They are swiftly driven out by Koreyoshi. Emperor Uda’s son had convinced him that Sugawar Michizane, minister of the right, was plotting treason and was later exiled to Dazaifu where he died. After his death, plagues and other disasters, including deaths of the emperor’s sons, riddled the city. Later he was posthumously promoted back to his rank and built a shrine in honor of him named Kitano Tenjin. ^[3]

Easterners

This refers to the forces under Shogun Yoritomo who establishes his base in Kamakura, 300 miles east of the capital. Yoritomo’s men were warriors determined to prove their worth and honor. “Descended from Emperor Uda nine generations in the past, fourth son of Sasaki Hideyoshi, I am Sasaki Shirou Takatsuna, the first man across the Uji River!” – Sasaki Takatsuna as he crosses the Uji River before Kajiwara

Eboshi

The Tate eboshi were hats worn with samurai wear and with hitatare up into the Kamakura Period. Then samurai switched to the ori eboshi with hitatare in the Muromachi period.

Engakuji

A temple in Kamakura founded in 1282 created for the appeasement of those killed in the Mongolian invasions of Japan between 1274 and 1281. It is considered one of the five major Renzi Zen temples and the Shari-den hall houses a tooth of the Buddha Shakyamuni.

Exclusive nenbutsu

Be exclusive. Every follower should know that the Buddha I believe in can save him from the pain and he can only read Buddhist text to that Buddha. He cannot seek for another Buddha.

Fukuhara Palace

The capital of Japan traditionally moves where the current emperor is located. During the onset of the Genpei War (1180), Kiyomori moved the imperial court to fukuhara to further legitimize his claim to power. Kiyomori had made Fukuhara his official residence, and a palace was built for him there. After about six months, the court returned to Kyoto. The palace was lavishly decorated for its Taira residents but none of this lasted long. The Tale of the Heike states, in the autumn of 1183, the Taira were retreating from the Minamoto. During this retreat, the Taira set fire to all of the imperial palace. Today, Fukuhara is located in the city of Kobe. The only remaining evidence of the palace exist in the form of monuments and Kiyomori’s tomb. Kiyomori and Fukuhara palace is the cover image of the Royall Tyler translation of Tale of the Heike.

Grand Shrine of Ise

A shinto shrine located in the Mie Prefecture that is dedicated to the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu. The shrine was built during the reign of Emperor Suinin in 4 BCE. The shrine serves to house the Yata no Kagami of the imperial regalia. The shrine is symbolically rebuilt every twenty years as a way of recharging the divine power of the shrine. Emperor Antoku is instructed to say goodbye to the shrine before jumping into the sea. [6]

Hachiman

In Japanese culture, Hachiman is the ancient kami (God, spirit, deity) of war and culture. During the Nara period, Hachiman was established as the protector of the imperial house. A key reason for this was the construction of the huge Buddha statue in the Capital of Nara, Todai-ji. During the Heian period, Hachiman became the protector of the Minamoto clan, becoming the clan deity. Yoriyoshi strengthened the family ties to Hachiman by citing the god as the reason for his victories. Yoriyoshi’s son, Yoshiie came to be known as Hachimantaro or ‘First Son of Hachiman’, the incarnation of Hachiman himself. Minamoto Yoritomo, who defeats the Taira clan in the Gempei Wars, attributes much of his success in thanks to Hachiman’s divine protection. Today, approximately ⅓ of shinto shrines are dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war.

Hasedera

A temple that traces it beginnings to 686 AD when a bronze plaque dedicated to Emperor Temmu was enshrined by the Buddhist Priest Dōmyōto the west of Hatsuseyama and now in the city of Sakurai. In 727, the Juichimen Kanzeonbosatsu, which is a large, eleven-faced wooden statue of Kannon, was enshrined by the Priest Tokudō. Hasedera is an important location in the Saigoku San-ju-sansho Kannon Reijō, a pilgrimage of 33 site sacred to Kannon, which was started by Tokudō.

Hitatare

Robe worn by the military class with hakama (a skirt.) The hitatare was first worn by commoners, but was later adopted by the Taira and other clans in the Heian period as samurais became more aristocratic.^[8] The formal suits for samurai in Heian age. It is first used by lower-class people as a kind of working clothes at first. When the samurai became the highest rank in Japan, Hitatare became the clothes for people in a high hierarchy. It mainly has two styles. Each one has a specified rule on how to wear it.

Hiyodorigoe track

These are the small hills behind Taira’s fortress at Ichi-no-Tani. Ichi-no-Tani was a defensive position at Suma, to the west of modern day Kobe.This is the Hiyodori Ravine that Yoshitsune flanked the Heike from. His forces charged down the ravine, and caught the Heike off guard.

Hungry Ghosts

This is the realm of the Hungry Ghosts, beings that suffer from insatiable hunger and thirst. Shunkan believes since he is starving to death he has slowly become one of these hungry ghosts in Book 3 Episode Eight.

Ichi-no-Tani

Ichi-no-Tani was a defensive position at Suma, to the west of present-day Kobe.This was where the Taira were defending, with shores in the south and mountains in the north. The landscape made it defendable, but it was also difficult for the troops to maneuver with the limited space. The Taira suffered a massive defeat by Noriyori and Yoshitsune. After Heike abandoned the capital and retreated to Kyushu, they built the palace and controlled that area. During that period, the power of Heike was recovering in a fast speed. Yoritomo decided to launch an attack on Heike after they defeated Yoshinaka. After a series of battle, Heike lost many generals and suffered from a great loss. They retreated to the harbor and sailed to Yashima by boat.

Ikezuki

the name of the best horse owned by Yoritomo. Yoritomo gave this horse to Sasaki Shirou Takatsuna, and Takatsuna promises to be the first to cross the Uji River with this horse. He eventually surpasses Kagesue and is the first man across the Uji River. Yoritomo is then notified of their crossings.

Imagumano

A shrine where Tanzo, the superintendent of Kumano, prayed for guidance of whether to support the Heike or the Genji, and has a cockfight to decide. It is also where Cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa was going a pilgrimage to during the event of the great earthquake. It is the 15th temple on the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage. It is located in Kyoto.

Imayō, rōei, fuzoku, saibara (“Japanese songs”)

These are all traditional forms of music in Japan. Imayō consists of four lines, each with units of seven plus five syllables. Originally popular among courtesan and Shirabyōshi dancers, it became popular among aristocrats after the Heian period. Rōei is an older form of folk music in Japan. Fuzoku and saibara originate in Japan and are exclusively sung. Both stem from ancient folk songs from the provinces. [10]

Imperial poem anthology

Collections of poetry composed under the order of the emperors. The Senzaiwakashū (or the Senzaishū for short), the ‘Collection (of Japanese Poetry) for a Thousand Years’, is the one mentioned in Chapter 7. It was the seventh of the 21 anthologies of waka compiled at imperial command (chokusenshū). Commissioned in 1183 by Emperor Goshirakawa (1127-1192; r. 1155-1158) and presented in 1187, it was compiled by Fujiwara no Toshinari (or more familiarly Shunzei) (1114-1204). The anthology follows the pattern of the Kokinshū, being composed of 20 books, and includes a preface written by Shunzei.

Imperial Regalia

Three items brought to earth by the ancestor of the Japanese imperial family, Ninigi-no-Mikoto. These treasures are essential to the ascension of emperors and represent their holy sovereignty. The three objects are:

The Kusanagi sword -

The former sword of Susano-o-no-mikoto, who found it in one of the tails of the eight-headed serpent. After the battle, the sword bore the name Ama-no-murakumo no Tsurugi, the “Sword of Celestial Cloud.” Eventually, the sword fell into the possession of the Sun Goddess, who then gave it to her grandson when he came to Japan. The sword was then passed on to the emperor. The sword received the name Kusanagi when it was used by Emperor Keiko’s son, Yamatodake-no-mikoto, to mow down several miles of grass and quell a rebellion.

The Yata no Kagami mirror –

One of the imperial regalia. The Sun Goddess left this mirror as a visible image of herself to her descendents when she shut herself away in the celestial rock cave. The mirror was given to her son Ama-no-oshihomimi-no-mikoto and it remained in the imperial palace. During the reign of Emperor Murakami, a fire broke out in the hall in which the mirror was kept. Miraculously, the mirror flew out of the flames, into a cherry tree, and then into left minister Fujiwara no Saneyori’s left sleeve. The Yasakani no Magatama jewel –

One of the imperial regalia. The magatama is a comma-shaped jewel that holds various ceremonial and religious meanings. Interestingly, the Yasakani no Magatama is the only imperial regalia to have no documented replica. Because of this, the Yasakani no Magatama is theorized to be the only imperial regalia to exist in its original form.

Itsukushima Shrine

A shrine erected on top of the water around 1423 years ago in 593 CE by Saeki no Kuramoto (later associated with Taira no Kiyomori) and is located in modern day Hiroshima prefecture. It is also said to be located “where the tides rise and fall was chosen specifically so the god or kami would not by damaged when they constructed the shrine”. There is no deity worshipped here because the island itself is considered to be a god. It was widely popular during the Heian period and was generally a place people visited in order to pray for the safety of the Seto Inland Sea.

Izumo

An old province of Japan named in honor of the the goddess Izanami, the “mother of Japan.” It is believed that the remains of Izanami are buried on Mt. Hiba on Izumo’s border. Izumo province is the area where Susano-o-no-mikoto battled Yamata no Orochi and obtained the Kusanagi sword. [11]

Jinshinbo Son'e

Head priest at a mountain temple called Seichoji and was the priest King Enma called upon to chant key passages of the Sutra. He appears in book 6 chapter 9 and is described as a former scholar monk who spent many years on Mount Hiei. He had received a message saying it was from King Enma and was required to chant the Sutra. He remained when all other priests left to inquire about his next life and to seek out a straight path to enlightenment.

Joneiden

The section of the palace grounds where the empresses, secondary consorts, and their ladies-in-waiting lived. Also referred to as kisaki-machi which means empress’s quarters. ^[12] During the earthquake in the Tale of the Heike, the emperor fled to a tent for refuge that was set up before the Joneiden. [13]

Kagura

A form of ceremonial dance performed during a number of special occasions. The dance is believed to have originated from the instance when the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, shut herself away in a cave. As a way of persuading Amaterasu to come out of the cave, many gods proceeded to dance wildly. This dance is believed to have been formalized and passed down through the generations. [14]

Kannon

Kannon is a Bodhisattva, a being who delays reaching nirvana in order to save suffering beings and seeks the enlightenment of others, and is usually depicted as female in Japanese culture. She personifies compassion and mercy and is one of the most widely worshipped divinities in Asia. The worship of Kannon is believed to have originated in 1st or 2nd century AD India, and to have begun in Japan in the 6th century.

A website on Kannon: https://www.japanvisitor.com/japanese-culture/kannon.

Karma

A term of Buddhism. The impact of bodily, verbal and mental behavior. It is an everlasting power on people. During a person’s life, he is accompanied by happiness and pain, success and failure, friends and enemies. These are all decided by karma. It is also call ‘destiny’ by people. Once karma is created, it will never disappear before the outcome appears. Karma transcending generations. What happened on a person is decided by what he did in last generation. A person can control his future by his wise behavior. This also decides the future of his next generation.

Kasuga Shrine

The Shinto Shrine was established in 768 CE but has been rebuilt multiple times. It is famous for its stone and bronze lanterns and is considered the shrine to the Fujiwara.

Katsu-ura

The beach that Yoshitsune first landed on during his final campaign against the Heike. The name translates to “Victory Beach.” Yoshitsune believed that this name was a good omen. It was on this beach that Yoshitsune met Kondoroku Chikaie, who would lead Yoshitsune in the opening stage of his assault on the Heike.

Kikai- ga-shima (AKA Iojima, Kagoshima)

It is 11.65km^2 in area, with a population of 142 people. It is known as the islan that Shunkan was exiled on, though any other islands in the vicinity make the same claim. The island currently has a large population of feral peacocks and can only be reached by a ferry that goes bi-weekly.

King Enma

Called upon 10,000 devotees to chant key passages of the Lotus Sutra, and is known as the guardian of hell in Japanese mythology. King Enma not only provides Jishinbo Son’e with instructions to help chant passages from the Lotus Sutra as well as passed judgement over Lord Kiyomori, as he is compassionate but also must be a judge of character.

Kogarasu

The sword is given to Koremori on the eve of Shigemori’s death during Book 3 Episode twelve. [17]

Koshigoe

A small town in the Kamakura municipality. The town is famous as the place Yoshitsune brought Munemori as a prisoner before intending to head to Kamakura. Yoshitsune was forced to stay in this town because his brother, Yoritomo, refused to allow him to enter Kamakura. Munemori was taken from Yoshitsune and executed while Yoshitsune waited in the town for days, begging for his brother to allow him to enter Kamakura.

Kumano

Kumano Sanzan(熊野三山) is the generic term of three shrines and the road to them in Kumano. It takes yatagurasu (八咫鴉) as its symbol. It is believed that god of Kumano accepts everyone. At first, it was built in 9^th-12^th century for aristocracy. In 14^th century, it was mainly used by samurai. Common people seldom has a chance to go there until 17^th. Kamikura shrine is believed to be the first shrine which the god of Kumano descended to. It is also famous for the Nachi fire festival and hot spring.

Kurikara Ravine

Otherwise known as Kurikara Valley, was a significant battle location (Ch. 7, Ep. 6). The Taira have gathered a big army to be sent to Yoshinaka and Yoritomo. Meanwhile, Yoshinaka seeks divine help from Hachiman Shrine for the battle. Yoshinaka attacks the Taira army during the night, forcing the Taira to retreat to the Kurikara Ravine. It is here that Yoshinaka attacks the Taira army from both the front and rear, almost all of the 70,000 Taira army is crushed in the Kurikara Ravine.

Kyo-no-shima

An island created by Kiyomori at Fukuhara to act as a harbor for foreign trading vessels. It has the Sutra’s written on building stones instead of a human sacrifice, built off the coast of Fukuhara. It is a key island for trading and had been battered by the sea, and required some form of sacrifice to be sated. Instead of a human sacrifice the islands building stones were transcribed with passages from the Lotus Sutra.

Lotus Sutra

The Lotus Sutra is a popular Mahayana teaching upon which Buddhism was established. It is said to contain the words of the historical Buddha. This sutra defines three “vehicles of enlightenment”: people who realize enlightenment by hearing the Buddha's sermons, people who realize enlightenment for themselves through their own effort, and the path of the bodhisattva. However, it also states that these three vehicles are all one, the Buddha vehicle, through which all beings have the potential to become Buddhas.

Link to Translation: http://www.bdk.or.jp/document/dgtl-dl/dBET_T0262_LotusSutra_2007.pdf

Mikusa

At the Harima-Tanba border, Yoshitsune’s forces stopped at Onobara under the eastern slopes of Mt. Mikusa. They launched a surprise night attack by lighting fire and soon the field was burning. The Taira were not expecting attack at night and lost the battle with many of their forces fleeing.

Mount Koya

Mount Koya is the shrine of Toumitsu Shingonshu. As a reason of this, it can be defined as the origin of Japanese Buddhism. It was first settled by monk Kukai in 819. Later it was burnt by disasters. In 1156, Taira no Kiyomori rebuilt it. Thousands of temples were built on Mount Koya since then on. The major structure on Mount Koya contains Okunoin, Danjogaran, Konpon Daito, and Kongobu-ji. Danjogaran is the first structure on Mount Koya. It is the Konpon Doujo of Shingonshu.

Nachi

Nachi shrine is in Kumano. The biggest shrine of Kumano Sanzan. The main hall of Nachi shrine is back to the Nachi Mountain which is hidden under flog for most of the time. The red painting of the shrine is easy to recognize from a distance in the forest. Tourists can find the painting of yatagurasu everywhere in the shrine. Yatagurasu is defined as messenger of god since ancient time. They can also see the perfect coalescing of buildings and fall in front of the shrine.

Nekoma

The lodging of a senior noble whose formal title is Lord Nekoma. This name becomes the punchline to several tasteless jokes made by Yoshinaka at the man's expense. Neko in Japanese means “cat,” therefore Kiso no Yoshinaka uses Lord Nekoma’s name as a joke saying, “A cat wants to talk to a man?”

Nyoirin Kannon

The Nyoirin Kannon is a deity in Japanese Esoteric Buddhism. He is one of the six changed forms of the bodhisattva Kannon and is associated with the granting of desires. A bodhisattva is one who is able to achieve nirvana, but delays doing so in order to save those who are suffering. In the context of The Tale of the Heike, the Nyoirin Kannon is a small sculpture used in religious services.

Oku-no-in

This is the inner sanctum of Mount Kōya and the holiest spot on the mountain. Kiyomori goes to pray there in book 3 chapter 5. He believes he is visited by the founder Kōbō Daishi who tells him he will have no rivals in the future. This is also where Ariō brings Shunkan’s bones to rest after he died. [19]

Palanquin

A box like vehicle made of wood with poles that allow it to be carried by people. In the Tale of the Heike, it is a common mode of travel for nobles, especially in cities where it allows them to travel without being seen by people of a lower social status. In Book One of The Tale of the Heike, the monks of Mount Hiei carry palanquins which are believed to contain their gods which to the capital after Go-Shirakawa refuses to answer their demands. A covered litter for one passenger, consisting of a large box carried on two horizontal poles by four or six bearers. Palanquins were usually reserved for important people and higher-class citizens.

A museum webpage on a Japanese palanquin from 1800-1868 AD: http://education.asianart.org/explore-resources/artwork/palanquin.

Precepts

A Precept is a rule or law in esoteric Buddhism. The Five Precepts prohibit killing, stealing, licentiousness (unprincipled sexual behavior of promiscuousness), lying, and drinking alcohol. These precepts are adhered to by all Buddhists, but Buddhist monks adhere to 5 extra precepts, which are taking substantial food from noon to dawn, dancing, singing and music, use of garlands, perfumes and personal adornment like jewelry, use of luxurious beds and seats, and accepting and holding money. Shigemori mentions these precepts when he admonishes Kiyomori for his behavior, citing the Five Precepts in his speech, clearly showing that Kiyomori acted wrongly in his treatment of the Cloistered Emperor. [23]

Prelate

Someone with high status in a monastic order and were responsible for the enforcement of monastic rules and temple affairs. Senior monks were initially chosen by the monastic community to serve in the Prelate’s Office but were often appointed by rulers. As a result, prelates were usually connected to the ruling class in Japan. [24]

Poetry

The Japanese poetry is developed from Chinese poetry, but it contains more forms compared to Chinese poetry. At first, Japanese poem was written in Chinese character. Some of them use the meaning of Chinese character and some of them use the pronunciation of Chinese character. These became the base of poem with Japanese features. From 629 to 759, it was the golden time of Japanese poetry. During this period, Japanese poetry separated with the folk and developed a fixed format. Since then on, the Japanese poetry became a formal type of literature and showed its literariness and ideological level.

Pure Land Buddhism

In Buddhism, pure land often refers to the land of Buddha. Some Buddha set up their own world after become Buddha. In their worlds, Buddha accept the members from other worlds and save them from the pain of samsara and karma. Then they can cultivate themselves until them become Buddha. Moreover, people’s mental world can also be defined as Pure Land.

Rokuhara

the name of Kiyomori’s residence compound in the capital. This is also used to refer to men of the Taira. Kiyomori also had control of the “Rokuhara Boys,” a gang of youths who terrorized anyone who spoke negatively of the Hieke.

Saga

An area west of the capital (in present-day Ukyo-ku, Kyoto), where Nakakuni is told to search for Kogo, the Koto player. It seems to include a smaller town outside the capital, close to Kameyama. In Saga, there is also a large temple name Shakado.

Sanemori

Sanemori is a particularly honourable warrior who fought for the Heike during the Genpei War. He remains to fight at Shinowara when most of his forces are on retreat. Sanemori asks for precision by Lord Munemori to wear a red brocade hitatare robe, as there is a saying urges a man to return home wearing brocade and he sees the battlefield as home in some way. He dyes his hair black so that warriors would not pity him because of his age. Dies at the age of 72 at Shinowara.

Sannō

Sannō monkey avatar in Tendai Buddhism. Monkeys are commonly a patron of harmonious marriage and safe childbirth. Sanno is a monkey and is the central deity of Japan's Tendai Shinto-Buddhist multiplex on Mt. Hiei.

Shinano

Kiso no Yoshinaka was raised in the Shinano mountains in Kiso until he was about thirty. It is a rural location and his inability to behave properly as an aristocrat is blamed on his rural upbringing. This becomes the characterization of Kiso no Yoshinaka, as he is seen more as a military leader than he is an aristocratic leader.

Shishi-no-Tani Villa

The villa of the temple administrator Shunkan. The meeting place of Fujiwara no Narichika, Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, Buddhist monk Saikō and others to consprire to overthrow Lord Kiyomori.

Shogun

The Shogun is a military commander who serves the emperor. During and before the Genpei War, the Shogun was merely a military commander who served under the Emperor. After Yoritomo used his military position to gain political power as well, he set a precedent for those Shoguns to follow, a precedent that would subsist through three dynasties that stretched for hundreds of years.

Shrine of Ise

The Ise Grand Shrine is located in Ise, in the Mie Prefecture of Japan. It is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Sun goddess Amaterasu. It is officially known as the Jingū, centered around two main shrines, Naikū,and Gekū.The Shrine that Emperor Antoku, a young boy emperor, highly influenced by the Taira, visits after the loss at the Kurikara Ravine.

Shunjobo Chōgen of Todaiji

Chōgen is a monk who Munezane, the last son of Shigemori, visits and asks to take him as a disciple. Chōgen takes Munezane in and has him renounce the world. When Yoritomo asks for Munezane to be Kamakura, Chōgen assets, and on the way Munezane starves himself and dies. In 1181 he was appointed to oversee and raise funds for the reconstruction of Tōdai-ji, which he spent 25 years accomplishing. He died in Tōdai-ji in 1206 at the age of 85.

Stupa

In Book Two, Yasuyori send stupas into the sea hoping his poem would reach someone who could help free him. These stupas were small depictions of the Buddha, but stupas can range in size. Stupas originate from the 8 dome burial grounds in South Asia that contain the remains of the Buddha. However, stupa also signifies small containers holding relics of the Buddha or other teachers. In addition, small stupas made from stone are common in Japanese shrines. [28]

Suma Bay

Suma is a location in modern day Kobe, Japan. Suma is known as a lonely seaside locale that is used as a site of exile, as in The Tale of Genji. It is also the location of the Battle of Ichi no Tani in the Tale of the Heike. Suma Bay is often referenced in poetry, noh, kabuki, and bunraku theater.

Surusumi

The name of the horse that was given to Kajiwara Kagesue by Yoritomo; Kagesue wanted Ikezuki but was rejected by Yoritomo and had to settle with Surusumi. He is tricked by Takatsuna and is not the first across the Uji River.

Sutra of Innumerable Meanings

A Buddhist text which includes stories about the Buddha and gives many lessons and focuses on how one can reach enlightenment. In Book 12, Go-Shirakawa references the Sutra of Innumerable meanings by saying, “the reward for destroying the king’s enemy has always been half a state,” in disagreement with Yoritomo's request for the appointment of constable over all of Japan. A translation of the Sutra: http://www.mahajrya.org/publicfiles/Lotus%20Sutra.pdf.

Toji

Giō and Ginyo’s mother. She appeared in book 1 chapter 6 Giō.Toji along with her two daughters and Hotoke become nuns together.

Tokaido

In Nara age, Japan used the administration division rule of china to divide japan into several regions. This rule was used in Japan for nearly a thousand years until Meiji age. Tokaido was the biggest and most important region among all the regions. It contains the roads to the capital. Hence officers, traveler and businessman were all gathered in Tokaido.

Tsuzumi

After Kiso no Yoshinaka’s men had been looting food and clothes from locals in the capital, emperor Go-Shirakawa sent a message with the police lieutenant Tomoyasu, nicknamed the Tsuzumi Police Lieutenant because he was very skilled at playing the tsuzumi hand drum. There are two types of tsuzumi drums – the ko-tsuzumi and the ō-tsuzumi. Both are very similar with the shape of an hourglass and two drum heads on each side of the instrument. [30]

Uji River

A river bed that Yoritomo’s forces must cross to get to the capital to attack Yoshinaka. The bridges at Uji and Seta were dismantled by Kiso no Yoshinaka’s forces. The two great warriors, Takatsuna and Kagesue, compete to be the first to cross the river to lead the attack. The Uji River was also the battleground where Minamoto no Yorimasa and Prince Mochihito were killed at the start of the Genpei War.

Utsumi

A town in the province of Owari. Utsumi is the location where Minamoto Yoshitomo was executed. The importance of this place to Yoritomo convinced Munemori that this would be the place where he would be executed. However, Utsumi was just a town they passed through before reaching the post station at Shinohara where Munemori was finally killed.

Waka

A type of traditional Japanese poetry, with two primarily known forms: tanka and choka. Waka is primarily written in Japanese; however it also makes use of Chinese characters to serve as a contrast; known as Kashi.

Whistling Arrow

A type of arrow with a bulbous end that is perforated with the purpose of making a whistling noise once shot. Primarily used to initiate ceremonies. The whistling noise was thought to be heard by gods and spirits. The whistling arrow was used at the Battle at Hiuchi.

Yaksha minions

Protectors of the Buddhist faith at Mt. Hiei. Yaksha is a broad term for nature spirits and are usually benevolent caretakers of treasure hidden in the Earth and its roots. These minions aren’t specific to the Buddhist faith, and are seen in both Hinduism and Jainism. In the Buddhist context, these minions are one of the 8 non-human beings that protect Buddhism. These minions are often depicted as ugly creatures or demons that harm humans as well. [31]

Yamata no Orochi

A legendary 8-headed and 8-tailed beast that terrorized a family of earthly deities in Izumo. The beast devoured seven of the family’s daughters, and intended on eating the eighth before Susano-o-no-mikoto happened upon the family. Orochi was tricked into drinking eight barrels of sake before being attacked and killed by Susano. The Kusanagi sword was subsequently found in one of the beast’s tails.

Yashima

While Kiso no Yoshinaka was gathering forces to prepare an attack on Yashima when a messenger informs him Lord Yukiie was slandering him to Go-Shirakawa in the capital. Yoshinaka returns to the capital immediately and in the meantime, Taira forces have reached over twenty thousand. Later in the story, Taira no Koremori’s wife remains in the capital while the Minamoto parade the heads of the fallen Taira. She is afraid she might see his head, but he is still hiding at the Taira stronghold of Yashima. He then goes to Mt. Koya to pray and eventually kills himself by drowning off the coast of Yashima.

Yojana

A unit of distance used by many Buddhist monks in their scriptures and was used to describe the fires in the temple of King Enma’s domain. There is defined measurement for a yojana, so it is uncertain how long it actually is. Depending on the scripture the length can be different as there is no defined measurement compared to the metric or imperial system. The closest measurement is between 4.5-9 miles given by Sir Alexander Cunningham in his book The Ancient Geography of India.