JAPAN 50 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Genpei War, Impermanence
Document Summary
A military epic account of the genpei wars between the taira and minamoto. It focuses on the lives of warriors from both sides and contains buddhist overtones, especially focusing on the theme of impermanence. Taira"s initial, rapid ascent but eventually abandoned capital. Focuses on the lives of warriors as well as numerous non-samurai stories (women, priests) Despite being a military epic, contains many buddhist overtones (impermanence) Tales recited from memory and accompanied by a biwa. Leaders who were unaware of the chaos and ignorant of the common people met their downfall. Family members were all fortunate and successful all high-ranking officials status is very important in this era. Lone horseman whose fellow men all fled and left him to block the enemy. A warrior of lord kiso approaches him and asks for his name the warriors of this time respected each other and acknowledged each other"s rank and status as a human being.
