After the death of Taira no Kiyomori, the Taira clan was led by his third son, Munemori.
This might give the impression that Munemori was always the successor to Kiyomori, but it was actually the eldest son, Taira no Shigemori, who originally held that position.
Born in 1138, Shigemori joined the Hogen Rebellion at the age of 19 and fought alongside his father in the Heiji Rebellion. Following these events, he rose through the ranks in tandem with Kiyomori’s own promotions, becoming Gon Dainagon at 30 and Naidaijin at 40.
He held fiefs and retainers, and was responsible for mobilizing warriors, making him second only to Kiyomori within the Taira clan during the 1170s.
However, in “The Tale of the Heike,” Shigemori is portrayed more as a gentle figure who admonished his father, rather than as a warrior or politician.
His words to Kiyomori, who intended to imprison Emperor Go-Shirakawa following the Shishigatani Incident, are emblematic of this portrayal.
“If I wish to be loyal to my lord, I cannot be filial to my father. If I wish to be filial to my father, I cannot be loyal to my lord.”
Choosing loyalty to the emperor would mean betraying his father, while obeying his father would mean losing loyalty to the emperor. “The Tale of the Heike” contrasts Shigemori’s struggle with Kiyomori’s more ruthless character.
Yet, when examining contemporary records, Shigemori’s character is not so easily defined.
In the 1170 Denka Jōai Incident, Shigemori’s name appears among those who retaliated against the entourage of Regent Matsudono Motofusa for the humiliation suffered by his son, Koremori. He showed a willingness to use force, a trait typical of Taira warriors.
Why then, in his later years, did Shigemori find himself in a difficult position between Kiyomori and Emperor Go-Shirakawa? By distinguishing between the famous scenes in “The Tale of the Heike” and the real Shigemori, we can explore his life.
Shigemori, Born as Kiyomori’s Eldest Son—Not the Heir of Tokiko
Taira no Shigemori was born in 1138 as the eldest son of Taira no Kiyomori. His grandfather was Taira no Tadamori, and his mother was the daughter of Takashina no Motoaki. He was not the son of Taira no Tokiko, who later became Kiyomori’s official wife.
Tokiko bore Munemori, Tomomori, and Shigehira. Through Tokiko’s sister Tokitada and her half-sister Kenreimon-in Shigeko, the family became closely connected with Emperor Go-Shirakawa and the imperial family.
While Shigemori had the advantage of being the eldest son, his maternal connections differed from those of his younger brothers, who were directly linked to the imperial family through Tokiko. Nevertheless, his official ranks rose steadily from a young age.
In 1150, at the age of just over ten, he became a Kurōdo, and the following year, in 1151, he was appointed to the lower fifth rank.
His father Kiyomori did not rely solely on military might to expand his influence; he also advanced through the ranks under the rule of Retired Emperor Toba, establishing a foothold in the court. Shigemori began to follow the same path from his youth, but before turning 20, he would also experience real combat.
A 19-Year-Old’s First Battle—Fighting Alongside His Father Kiyomori in the Hogen Rebellion
In July of the first year of Hogen (1156), the Hogen Rebellion erupted in Kyoto following the death of Emperor Toba.
On the side of Emperor Go-Shirakawa were Taira no Kiyomori and Minamoto no Yoshitomo, while the forces of the retired Emperor Sutoku included Taira no Tadamasa, Minamoto no Tameyoshi, and Minamoto no Tametomo.
The 19-year-old Shigemori joined his father Kiyomori on the side of Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
The contemporary diary ‘Heihanki’ records the name of Shigemori, who held the position of Assistant Director of the Ministry of Central Affairs.
In later accounts like the ‘Hogen Monogatari’, the young Shigemori is depicted as a valiant figure.
Among Sutoku’s forces was Minamoto no Tametomo, renowned for his powerful archery.
When Kiyomori’s forces struggled against Tametomo’s arrows and Kiyomori considered retreating, Shigemori reportedly insisted on continuing the fight.
While this brave exchange is a narrative embellishment typical of military tales, it is confirmed that Shigemori did indeed go into battle alongside his father.
The battle concluded with a victory for Emperor Go-Shirakawa’s side.
In the following year, Hogen 2 (1157), Shigemori was promoted to Senior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade. Furthermore, Kiyomori transferred to Shigemori the rewards he received for constructing the Imperial Palace’s Jinju Hall, elevating Shigemori to Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade.
Seeing Kiyomori pass on his own rewards to his eldest son suggests that Shigemori was being groomed to lead the family in the future. Three years later, Shigemori would once again find himself in battle in Kyoto. This time, his opponent would be Minamoto no Yoshitomo, who had been an ally during the Hogen Rebellion.
The Heiji Rebellion—Young Shigemori Rises as a “Warlord”
In December of the first year of Heiji (1159), another political upheaval erupted in Kyoto.
Fujiwara no Nobuyori and Minamoto no Yoshitomo raised an army, imprisoning the retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and seizing control of Emperor Nijo.
At this time, Taira no Kiyomori was on a pilgrimage to Kumano, but he hurried back to Kyoto. When Emperor Nijo escaped from the Nobuyori-Yoshitomo faction and entered Rokuhara, Kiyomori’s side came to hold the emperor, dramatically shifting the situation.
The Taira clan began their counterattack as “the side supporting the emperor.”
In this battle, Shigemori was also at the forefront.
The “Heiji Monogatari” depicts Shigemori leading troops to attack the imperial palace area, fiercely clashing with Minamoto no Yoshitomo‘s eldest son, the fierce warrior Yoshihira.
Shigemori was 22 years old by traditional count. While the details of a one-on-one duel should be seen as a literary expression typical of war tales, the fact that young Shigemori experienced two internal conflicts alongside his father is significant when considering his later life.
The Heiji Rebellion concluded with a victory for Kiyomori’s side.
Fujiwara no Nobuyori was executed, and Minamoto no Yoshitomo was killed while fleeing in Owari. Yoshitomo’s son, Yoritomo, was exiled to Izu.
With the fall of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, there were no longer any powerful warrior families in Kyoto to oppose the Taira. As Kiyomori’s status rose, Shigemori also steadily advanced in the court.
Towards Kiyomori’s Successor—At 30, Appointed Gon Dainagon
After the Heiji Rebellion, Shigemori’s official rank steadily rose.
In 1163, he was promoted to Junior Third Rank, and by 1165, he became a councilor, entering the ranks of the court nobles. In 1166, he advanced to Provisional Middle Counselor. The following year, 1167, he attained Junior Second Rank and Provisional Major Counselor, all by the age of 30.
In that same year, his father, Kiyomori, achieved the unprecedented position of Grand Minister of State for a samurai.
With his father as Grand Minister of State and Shigemori as Provisional Major Counselor, it is clear that Shigemori was being treated as the successor at this stage.
Even more crucial was his role in military affairs.
As noted by Yamakawa Publishing’s “Dictionary of Japanese History,” Shigemori received an imperial order to suppress bandits in 1167, subsequently taking on a central role in the military command of the Taira clan.
While advancing in court rank, he had experienced the Hogen and Heiji Rebellions, and also took on the responsibility of mobilizing the Taira samurai. Shigemori was not just a court noble who rose through the ranks.
Moreover, as Kiyomori expanded his domains, Shigemori’s household began to hold its own estates and retainers. Echizen became a domain of the Shigemori household from 1166 to 1179, and later he also exerted influence in Tango. Shigemori was not only Kiyomori’s eldest son but also had the capability to lead his own household.
However, around this time, Shigemori began to suffer from frequent illnesses.
In December 1168, at the age of 31, Shigemori resigned from his position as Provisional Major Counselor due to illness. In 1169, he advanced to Senior Second Rank, and in April 1170, he returned to his position as Provisional Major Counselor. Yet, by the end of the same year, he resigned again, only to return once more in December 1171.
Though still in his early thirties, he repeatedly resigned due to illness. In the midst of this, in 1170, an incident occurred that starkly contrasted with the later image of “the gentle Shigemori.”
Shigemori Attacks the Regent’s Procession—The Incident That Shattered the “Saintly Image”
On July 3, 1170, Shigemori’s second son, Sukemori, and his entourage encountered the procession of the Regent, Matsudono Motofusa, on the road.
In the society of the time, those of lower status were expected to dismount or bow when encountering a procession of someone of higher rank.
However, Sukemori’s group’s response was deemed disrespectful, and Motofusa’s retainers assaulted Sukemori’s party.
About three months later, on October 21, while heading to a council regarding Emperor Takakura’s coming-of-age ceremony, Motofusa’s procession was attacked by warriors.
Motofusa’s attendants were dragged from their horses and humiliated, having their topknots cut.
As a result, the regent himself was unable to attend the court, leading to the postponement of important court proceedings.
In “The Tale of the Heike,” it is Kiyomori who orders the retaliation, while Shigemori is portrayed as scolding his son Sukemori and punishing the warriors involved in the attack. However, in the “Gyokuyo” by Kujou Kanezane and “Gukansho” by Jien, the responsibility for the incident is placed on Shigemori. The shift of responsibility to Kiyomori in “The Tale of the Heike” is intriguing when considering how the narrative intended to portray Shigemori.
Why was there a switch in characters? In “The Tale of the Heike,” Kiyomori bears the burden of the Taira clan’s arrogance and excesses, while Shigemori is crafted as the figure who admonishes these actions.
If Shigemori had been the one to order the violent retaliation against the regent, it would have been difficult to reconcile with his later image as the “ideal loyal retainer.”
In reality, Shigemori was a man who would even retaliate against the entourage of a regent when his child was dishonored. The image of him as the “voice of reason among the Heike” that has been passed down through the ages does not fully capture his character.
Shigemori’s Close Ties to Emperor Go-Shirakawa—His Wife Was the Sister of Fujiwara no Narichika
However, there were differences in how Kiyomori and Shigemori interacted with Emperor Go-Shirakawa and his close retainers.
While Kiyomori stood at the pinnacle of the Taira clan, he expanded his power in cooperation with Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
Shigemori himself also built deep relationships with the close retainers of Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
Shigemori’s principal wife, Keiko, was the daughter of Fujiwara no Ienari, a powerful retainer of Emperor Toba, and the sister of Fujiwara no Narichika, a close retainer of Emperor Go-Shirakawa. Furthermore, Shigemori’s eldest son, Koremori, married Narichika’s daughter, creating a double marital bond between the Shigemori and Narichika families.
Narichika was his wife’s brother and also the father-in-law of his heir. This double connection placed Shigemori in a difficult position during the Shishigatani Incident in 1177.
At that time, the relationship between Kiyomori and Emperor Go-Shirakawa was becoming increasingly strained due to issues regarding temple and shrine forces, personnel, and land holdings.
Shigemori, while being Kiyomori’s eldest son, also had close family ties and connections on Emperor Go-Shirakawa’s side. The background to the portrayal of Shigemori in “The Tale of the Heike” as a man torn between loyalty and filial piety can be understood in light of his actual position.
At 40, Shigemori Becomes Minister of the Interior—Approaching the Pinnacle of the Taira Clan
On January 24, 1177, Shigemori was appointed Captain of the Left Imperial Guards.
By March 5, he had been promoted to Minister of the Interior. At the age of 40, he held the senior second rank, an exceptionally high position for someone born into a warrior family, following in the footsteps of his father, Kiyomori.
In the same January, Munemori became Captain of the Right Imperial Guards, meaning Kiyomori’s two sons occupied both positions. With Shigemori’s advancement to Minister of the Interior, it is clear that the Taira clan’s influence had reached the highest levels of the court.
However, on June 5, Shigemori resigned as Captain of the Left Imperial Guards, though he retained his position as Minister of the Interior.
He established a residence near Komatsudani, earning him the nicknames “Komatsu-dono” and “Komatsu Naifu.”
According to “The Tale of the Heike” and other sources, he was also known as the “Lantern Minister” for setting up lanterns in his residence for Buddhist ceremonies. The city of Kyoto also introduces the area near Shorinji Temple in Komatsudani as the site of Shigemori’s villa, though the exact location of the residence and details of the lantern hall contain elements of legend.
These anecdotes of Buddhist devotion also contributed to the later image of Shigemori as a compassionate and modest figure. And in the same year, 1177, the Shishigatani Incident, an event essential to understanding Shigemori’s legacy, occurred.
The Shishigatani Incident—Was It Really a “Unified Plan to Overthrow the Taira”?
In June 1177, close retainers of Emperor Go-Shirakawa, including Fujiwara no Narichika, Saiko, and Shunkan, were successively arrested. This is known as the Shishigatani Incident.
However, the famous scene of a banquet at the Shishigatani mountain villa, where they supposedly knocked over a sake bottle and rejoiced that “the Taira have fallen,” is largely a creation of the narrative world of “The Tale of the Heike.”
In recent years, the understanding that Narichika and Saiko were a monolithic “group to overthrow the Taira” from the start has been re-evaluated. There are studies suggesting that their political positions differed, and that the complex conflicts involving Emperor Go-Shirakawa, Enryakuji Temple, and internal Taira clan disputes were also factors in their punishment.
Therefore, the storyline in “The Tale of the Heike” that a secret meeting to overthrow the Taira was held at Shishigatani, and that Tada Yukitsuna betrayed them, cannot be taken as the full account of the incident.
On the other hand, it is certain that Kiyomori took this opportunity to harshly punish the court retainers.
Saiko was captured and executed, Narichika was exiled to Bizen and later killed. Shunkan, Taira no Yasuyori, and Fujiwara no Naritsune were also exiled to Kikaigashima.
What was troublesome for Shigemori was that Narichika, who was punished, was a very close relative.
Narichika’s daughter was also the wife of Shigemori’s heir, Koremori. The ties between Shigemori’s family and Narichika’s were deep.
In other words, Narichika’s downfall was not just a matter of “one of the Retired Emperor’s close aides disappearing” for Shigemori. It was a situation where a person who was his wife’s brother and also the father of his eldest son’s wife was removed by his own father, Kiyomori.
The “Tale of the Heike” places Shigemori’s most dramatic moment right after this incident. When an enraged Kiyomori attempts to imprison Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa in the Toba Palace, Shigemori steps forward to dissuade his father. It is during this confrontation that the famous line is spoken:
“If I wish to be loyal to my lord, I cannot be filial to my father. If I wish to be filial to my father, I cannot be loyal to my lord.”
This is one of the most well-known passages.
Furthermore, Shigemori in the tale insists that if Kiyomori insists on mobilizing troops, he should first take Shigemori’s head.
In the story, Kiyomori eventually relents, and the Taira warriors gather around Shigemori out of admiration. This scene vividly contrasts Kiyomori’s intensity with Shigemori’s prudence, making it one of the most striking moments in the “Tale of the Heike.”
“If I wish to be loyal, I cannot be filial”—Is this famous quote historical?
We cannot treat this lengthy admonition as Shigemori’s actual words from 1177.
From the contemporary sources available today, there is no evidence that Shigemori risked his life to stop the imprisonment of the Retired Emperor in front of Kiyomori, speaking of “loyalty” and “filial piety” in this manner.
This image of Shigemori is primarily shaped by the “Tale of the Heike.”
Recent studies also discuss how Shigemori in the tale is intentionally portrayed as a person bearing “loyalty” and “filial piety.” On the other hand, the historical Shigemori is seen as having been involved in retaliation against the Regent during the Denka-no-Noriai incident, indicating a clear distance between the historical figure and the “loyal retainer Shigemori” of the “Tale of the Heike.”
Nevertheless, it cannot be said that the tale entirely fabricated this conflict without basis. Shigemori, as Kiyomori’s eldest son, had deep connections with Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and his close aides, and Narichika, who was punished, was his wife’s brother. If the relationship between his father and the Retired Emperor deteriorated, Shigemori would be directly affected. The “Tale of the Heike” likely used the words “loyalty” and “filial piety” to depict Shigemori’s circumstances in a memorable way.
The Man Who Opposed Kiyomori—But Father and Son Were Not Simple Enemies
However, portraying Shigemori as an “anti-Kiyomori” figure also strays from reality.
During the Hogen and Heiji Rebellion, he fought alongside his father, and his rank rose in step with Kiyomori’s promotions, acquiring fiefs and retainers. Shigemori’s very position was inseparable from Kiyomori’s success. Father and son had long supported the prosperity of the Taira clan together.
The differences began to emerge when Kiyomori’s relationship with Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa grew strained. Shigemori’s wife was the sister of Fujiwara no Narichika, and his heir, Koremori, was married to Narichika’s daughter. Connections with the Retired Emperor’s close aides were politically advantageous for Shigemori’s family.
Therefore, as the conflict between Kiyomori and the Retired Emperor deepened, Shigemori could no longer simply follow his father. Yet, leaning towards the Retired Emperor’s side would jeopardize his position as Kiyomori’s eldest son.
However, it is also difficult to view Shigemori as a “moderate” in stark contrast to Kiyomori. In the Denka-no-Noriai incident of 1170, Shigemori is noted as being on the side that retaliated with force against the Regent’s entourage. When necessary, he was willing to take strong measures, not unlike his father.
In the Shishigatani Incident, the issue was less about Shigemori’s character and more about the increasing difficulty of maintaining two previously compatible relationships. As Kiyomori’s eldest son, he was in a position to support the Taira clan, while also having ties to Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and his close aides. Having both connections ironically made it harder for Shigemori to navigate the situation.
The Relationship with Munemori—Can It Be Simplified as a “Succession Struggle”?
When discussing Shigemori’s later years, the “succession struggle” with his half-brother Munemori is often brought up.
The family of Munemori’s mother, Taira no Tokiko, was rapidly strengthening its ties with the imperial family. Tokiko’s half-sister, Shigeko, bore Emperor Takakura with Emperor Go-Shirakawa, and Tokiko and Kiyomori’s daughter, Tokuko, entered the court of that same Emperor Takakura. Munemori himself continued to rise through the ranks, becoming the Commander of the Right Imperial Guards in 1177.
Looking at this background alone, one might think Kiyomori began to favor Munemori over Shigemori. However, there is no clear evidence that Shigemori was removed from his position as heir. In the same year, 1177, Shigemori was promoted to Minister of the Center after serving as Commander of the Left Imperial Guards. Even after the Shishigatani Incident, he was not immediately stripped of his office.
For Shigemori, his illness was a more pressing concern than any rivalry with Munemori. From his early thirties, he repeatedly resigned and returned to his duties, and by the time he was over forty, continuing his official duties had become increasingly difficult.
Resignation at 41—Illness Steals Time from Shigemori
In February 1178, Shigemori tendered his resignation as Minister of the Center. Although he had only assumed the position the previous year, his resignation was not accepted, and he remained in office.
That same year, Emperor Takakura’s consort, Tokuko, became pregnant and gave birth to Prince Tokihito in November, who would later become Emperor Antoku. In December, he was named Crown Prince, placing Kiyomori’s grandson at the forefront of imperial succession.
While this was a significant celebration for the family, Shigemori’s health did not improve. On March 11, 1179, his resignation as Minister of the Center was finally accepted. He was 42 by the traditional Japanese count.
Afterward, he took religious vows, and his Dharma name is said to have been Joren. In June, Emperor Go-Shirakawa visited Komatsu Palace to see the ailing Shigemori, indicating that their relationship endured until the end.
At the end of July, Shigemori passed away. The “Gyokuyou” records his death on July 29, and although there are slight discrepancies in the exact date among sources, it is generally accepted as July 29. He died at the age of 42, two years before his father, Kiyomori.
The Seizure of Echizen After Shigemori’s Death—The Fuse for the 1179 Political Upheaval
In 1179, the year of Shigemori’s death, the relationship between Kiyomori and Emperor Go-Shirakawa quickly deteriorated.
The previous month, Moriko, Kiyomori’s daughter and the widow of Konoe Motozane, had also passed away. The Go-Shirakawa faction moved to seize control of the estates she managed for the regent family, and in October, Echizen, long administered by Shigemori’s family, was confiscated.
After Shigemori’s death, Echizen was inherited by his heir, Koremori, but Emperor Go-Shirakawa designated it as an imperial province and appointed Fujiwara no Sukeyoshi as governor. For Shigemori’s family, losing such an important source of income immediately after losing their head was a significant blow. The “Gyokuyou” and “Sankaiki” suggest that this issue with Echizen intensified Kiyomori’s dissatisfaction.
In November, Kiyomori led troops from Fukuhara to the capital. This was the political upheaval of 1179. Close associates of Emperor Go-Shirakawa, including Matsudono Motofusa, were dismissed or replaced, and on November 20, Emperor Go-Shirakawa was confined to Toba Palace, effectively ending his cloistered rule.
According to the “Heike Monogatari,” two years earlier, during the Shishigatani Incident, Kiyomori had attempted to imprison the emperor, but Shigemori had stopped him. While this scene cannot be taken as historical fact, the fact that Kiyomori actually imprisoned the emperor shortly after Shigemori’s death led later generations to strongly associate the two events.
Of course, the political upheaval of 1179 cannot be explained solely by Shigemori’s death. The issues surrounding the regent family’s estates after Moriko’s death, the confiscation of Echizen, and the longstanding conflict between Kiyomori and the emperor all converged. However, Shigemori’s death, given his close relationship with Emperor Go-Shirakawa, cannot be ignored when considering their relationship.
If Shigemori Had Lived, Would the Taira Have Survived?
About nine months after Shigemori’s death, in April 1180, Prince Mochihito issued a call to arms against the Taira. In May, Minamoto no Yorimasa was defeated at Uji, and in August, Minamoto no Yoritomo raised his banner in Izu. Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Kiso Yoshinaka) and others followed, and anti-Taira movements spread across the land.
In 1181, Kiyomori also passed away, leaving Munemori to lead the Taira. This has led to speculation that “if Shigemori had lived, the Taira might not have fallen.”
Shigemori gained practical experience in warfare during the Hogen and Heiji Rebellion, and rose to the position of Minister of the Interior at the imperial court, maintaining long-standing connections with Emperor Go-Shirakawa and his close courtiers. Had he remained in power after Kiyomori’s death, the military and court affairs might have taken a different course than they did under Munemori.
That said, it is difficult to believe that Shigemori alone could have prevented the subsequent internal conflicts. The Taira clan was embroiled in disputes with religious institutions and Emperor Go-Shirakawa, while dissatisfaction was mounting among local warriors in the eastern provinces. The turmoil that erupted after 1180 cannot be solely attributed to Kiyomori’s personality or Munemori’s capabilities.
Shigemori himself opted for military retaliation during the Denka-no-Noriai Incident. He was not always the peacemaker depicted in later accounts like the ‘Tale of the Heike.’
However, the timing of Shigemori’s death was unfortunate for the Taira clan. Four months later, Emperor Go-Shirakawa was imprisoned, and in the following year, 1180, Prince Mochihito, Minamoto no Yorimasa, and Minamoto no Yoritomo all raised armies. By 1181, Kiyomori had also passed away. Shigemori’s death meant he left the world just as the Taira clan was about to face nationwide conflict.
“Loyalty or Filial Piety?” — The Beautified Shigemori of Legend
In the ‘Tale of the Heike,’ Shigemori is portrayed as the sensible eldest son who tries to curb Kiyomori’s excesses. In reality, he fought in the Hogen and Heiji Rebellion, rose through the ranks alongside Kiyomori, and was a military commander with his own fiefs and retainers. He was also involved in retaliatory actions against the regent during the Denka-no-Noriai Incident, indicating he was not always a pacifist.
On the other hand, Shigemori had deep ties with Emperor Go-Shirakawa and his close courtiers, especially Fujiwara no Narichika, with whom he had a double marriage alliance. When Narichika was punished during the Shishigatani Incident, the conflict between Kiyomori and the court became a personal matter for Shigemori.
The phrase “If I am loyal to my lord, I cannot be filial to my father. If I am filial to my father, I cannot be loyal to my lord” cannot be definitively attributed to Shigemori. However, the reason the ‘Tale of the Heike’ assigns these words to him is understandable. As Kiyomori’s eldest son, he supported the Taira clan while maintaining ties with Emperor Go-Shirakawa. His position became increasingly difficult as the rift between his father and the court deepened.
Shigemori died in the seventh month of Jisho 3 (1179) at the age of 42. Four months later, Kiyomori imprisoned Emperor Go-Shirakawa. The following year, Prince Mochihito and Minamoto no Yorimasa raised armies, and Minamoto no Yoritomo also rose in rebellion in Izu. By 1181, Kiyomori had died, and the Taira clan, led by Munemori, faced off against the Minamoto.
It is impossible to know what might have happened to the Taira clan had Shigemori lived. At the very least, the loss of a figure who had experienced two internal conflicts, risen to Minister of the Interior, and maintained connections with Emperor Go-Shirakawa was a significant blow to the clan.
The speculation “What if Shigemori had lived?” persists not because he was a perfect paragon of virtue, but because he was a key supporter of the Taira alongside Kiyomori, yet became embroiled in the conflict between his father and Emperor Go-Shirakawa in his later years, dying before he could see its resolution. The ‘Tale of the Heike’ layers the anguish of “loyalty” and “filial piety” onto this narrative, creating a version of Shigemori that differs from historical reality, crafting another image of the Komatsu Lord.
