Genpei War

In this episode, we focus on the Genpei War, the dramatic civil conflict in Japan from 1180 to 1185 that brought the Minamoto and Taira clans into a decisive struggle for power. The episode explores how the war began with rising tensions against Taira dominance, moved through key battles such as Uji and Dan-no-ura, and ended with the collapse of Taira influence and the rise of Minamoto no Yoritomo. It also highlights the role of warrior monks, legendary figures such as Yoshitsune and Benkei, and the cultural legacy of the conflict, including the emergence of the samurai as Japan’s ruling military class and the foundations of the Kamakura shogunate.