Gempei War

The Gempei War (1180–1185) was a civil conflict in Japan between two noble families, the Taira and Minamoto clans. Rooted in power struggles and political rivalries, the war involved battles across Japan, ultimately leading to the Minamoto clan's victory. This victory ended the Taira's dominance and marked the beginning of the Kamakura Shogunate, Japan’s first military government. The war significantly influenced Japanese history, shifting power from the imperial court to warrior clans and laying foundations for samurai rule. It is also famously depicted in The Tale of the Heike, a classic epic recounting the conflict.