G422 Book Review of The Heike Story by Eiji Yoshikawa
Name of Book: The Heike Story Author: Eiji Yoshikawa ISBN: 978-4-8053-1044-1 Publisher: Tuttle Type of book: Japan, Genji and Heike clans, warfare, clashes, 1135-1174, rags-to-riches story, Emperor, Kyoto, secrets, translation Year it was published: 1956 (translation 1989) Summary: Kyoto in the twelfth century was a magnificent city, but crime, disorder, and lust were rampant. The people were abused by the nobility, while the armed Buddhist monks terrorized court and commoner alike. In despair, the Emperor called upon the Heike and Genji clans to quell civil disturbances. Although the clans succeeded, they quarreled over the spoils of war and plunged the country into a century of warfare. This novel describes the rise to power of Kiyomori of the Heike clan during this turbulent time. From a youth sunk in poverty, Kiyomori eventually rose to become the Emperor's Chief Councillor. Although he was a gentle, enlightened man, he left a trail of bloodshed and ruin in...