The New Tale of Taira (1)

In the New Tale of Taira Shin Heike Monogatari Eiji Yoshikawa tells the story of Japan's significant transformation from a civilian aristocratic society to a new samurai era at the end of the 12th century.The Taira tribe's master Tadamori Taira serves Japan's most powerful person the retired emperor Toba as the guard chief. Tadamori has earned the trust of the former emperor through his potent weapons and unique personality. This trust is a significant aspect of their relationship which one gains slowly. However despite this his tribe is poor and discriminated against by the nobles. Tadamori's eldest son Kiyomori the novel's hero is twenty. The oppression of the samurai by Fujiwara's family annoys Kiyomori greatly. Resistance to the nobility slowly germinates in Kiyomori's consciousness. With unwavering patience he awaits his chance which is yet to come. The nobles become entangled in intriguing power struggles over the choice of the first lady and the succession to the throne.